Credit card party trick

It's almost worth trying this to see if it works in Australia or whether it is US-centric. While catching up with the TWIT (This Week in Technology) blog - I am only a couple of months behind at this point - reference was made to unauthorised use of credit cards. Someone on the panel then said that a sure way to have your card suspended was to buy two tanks of gas (aka petrol) and then some Nike shoes. This scenario usually meant your card had been stolen and the responsible young adult male was filling up their tank - to make sure the card worked - then his mate's car, and then - well, you'd be buying shoes too wouldn't you? Or perhaps not, but that's what the profiling has happening next. So, does it work in the US - or are they just saying that - and would it work here in Australia? I'm not sure I want to know that much to try it - but if you are, and do, please share!