The continuous rise of gas prices has caused another shortage among service stations in the U.S. Pump station owners have to look for extra number 4s as retail price reaches a record $4.40 a gallon.

Some owners resort to using other digits like the number 1 and and then add a stroke or two to make an improvised pump price display.

The numbers are usually ordered from parent companies of the gasoline dealer, sold for $1.50 each. New York City's Department of Consumer Affairs said it was okay for gas station operators to use makeshift or improvised digits if it is similar in color, font and size to the other numbers used.

In areas where gasoline is still below $4 a gallon, gas station owners have started to prepare by ordering more of number 4s, while New York gas station operators are anticipating gas prices to rise beyond $5 and have ordered more number 5s.

Meanwhile to help employees cope with the rise in gas prices, many companies have offered their staff small perks including $25 gas cards. The Carr Business Systems in Melville offered the gas cards in lieu of birthday brownies and jelly beans.

According to the yearly benefits survey by the Society for Human Resource Management, the new small benefits being offered by employers include paid legal advice, cellphones, stop smoking programs, gym subsidies and referral bonuses for bringing in a good job candidate who gets hired.