As fuel prices have continually risen throughout the past decade, fuel theft has seemingly become more common. Fuel is a very attractive item to steel because it is easily obtainable and is very valuable. Think about it, a truck that has two 75 gallon fuel tanks, is carrying $500 to $600 worth of diesel depending on the diesel prices in your area. Fuel theft is extremely costly, that is why it is important to take all preventative measures to protect your company from fuel theft. Here are some tips to get you started.
Identify Your Threats
The most common methods of fuel theft are;
- Siphoning, drilling, cutting fuel lines, etc. to steal fuel out of vehicle tanks
- Card skimming
- Employee theft and misuse
Inventory Controls
Believe it or not, a lot of fuel theft comes from the inside of an organization (drivers, office members, etc.). Some companies have inventory controls for the products they sell, but they don’t keep track of their fuel inventory. Fuel is just as important to keep track of because it is an expensive product that is required to keep your company running. If you don’t know where every drop of fuel is going, then you don’t know if people are stealing from you. That is why it is important to set up a system to keep track of your fuel usage that will hold employees accountable and will catch any theft or misuse. Here are some common methods companies use to keep track of their fuel usage;
- On-Site Bulk Fuel Tanks
- Mobile Fueling (Wet Hosing)
- Fleet Fuel Cards
Inspect Fuel Pump Card Readers
Whenever you use a fleet card, credit card, etc. at a fuel pump, make sure to check the card reader (place where you swipe your card) for anything suspicious. Thieves install their own card skimming devices to steel your fleet card or credit card info.
Locking Fuel Caps
Make sure you always have locking fuel caps. I know this sounds obvious, but you will be surprised how many vehicles don’t have locking fuel caps or are missing fuel caps altogether. This will prevent a thief from easily siphoning fuel from your vehicles.
Secure Lot
Having a safe place to park your vehicles during downtime is extremely important not only to prevent fuel theft, but also to protect your equipment in general. Here are some security measures you should consider:
- Build an enclosed area where fuel thieves cannot easily access your vehicles
- Install security cameras
- Install lighting
- Post security signs such as “Parking Lot Under Surveillance”
Defensive Parking
When your drivers are out on their route, tell them to park defensively. Always park in well-trafficked areas and stay away from back alleys. If you can, park in an area where you can see your vehicle at all times. If that isn’t an option, try to park in spot where your fuel tanks aren’t easily accessible.
