Constable Nick Turner, of Dunedin, said the 26-year-old tried to purchase $100 worth of cigarettes from Jumbo Dairy in North Rd at 7pm on Thursday.
The owner felt the man was acting strange, as he had already made a purchase and then came back.
The owner called police and the man was found to be using a stolen card.
Const Turner said the incident was a reminder that if something does not seem right, then it often is not and the police should be called.