By: Yuritza Arroyo
With a recent February chill keeping home heating oil companies busy with deliveries, the Division of Consumer Affairs Office of Weights and Measures ("OWM") is ensuring consumers get every gallon of heating oil they pay for.
According to officials, early Wednesday morning surprise inspections near a Newark fueling depot, OWM's Fuel Meter Task Force, assisted by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey ("PANYNJ") Police Department, flagged trucks as they drove toward the depot to load up on the heating fuel before making deliveries to consumers.
Once the trucks were pulled over, Task Force members checked trucks for signs of meter tampering or compromised equipment that could result in consumers being charged for more oil than they received.
Trucks and drivers were also checked to make sure they had all the required documentation. PANYNJ Police provided logistical and security support and conducted safety inspections of the trucks
"New Jersey residents pay hefty sums to purchase hundreds of gallons of heating oil at a time to keep their residences warm during the winter months. We are making sure home heating oil companies are not cheating consumers by overcharging them and underdelivering oil," said Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin.
"Although a vast majority of the companies that sell heating oil are honest, surprise inspections help protect the industry's integrity and keep bad operators from doing business in the State."
The inspection results will be looked over in coming days to see if any owners violate the Consumer Fraud Act or other state laws and regulations.
If violations are found, the trucks would be condemned, meaning red tags would be placed on the meter, and no deliveries could be made until the issues were corrected and the meters re-inspected and recertified as fit for use. Notices of violation could also be issued, carrying civil penalties between $50 and $500, depending on the violations cited.
In years past, OWM has found infractions ranging from minor violations to inaccurate meters that result in consumers being shortchanged. In one instance, a truck was found to have a "crimped" air eliminator line that would have caused the meter to count air as fuel product and overcharge for oil.
"Consumers in New Jersey deserve to feel confident they are getting every drop of heating oil they pay for," said Cari Fais, Acting Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs.
"When companies fail to ensure the accuracy of their equipment or deliberately cheat customers, that confidence is undermined. The Fuel Meter Task Force will continue to protect New Jerseyans from inaccurate pumps and dishonest business owners."
Approximately 300,000 households in New Jersey rely on home heating oil. Merchants are required to provide consumers with a delivery ticket for each sale of home heating oil, and that ticket must include the date of delivery, number of gallons dispensed, per-gallon price, and total price.