With solid information, and knowing what irregularities to look for - regularly, and methodically - monitor, review and audit transactions for reasonableness and accuracy. THEFT With greater accountability, fl eet fuel cards and fuel management systems can help discourage and prevent the theft of fuel and unauthorized fuel purchases. Fuel theft includes siphoning off fuel; fueling a personal vehicle; employees using their card to purchase fuel for another driver – usually in exchange for cash; multiple pump transactions; and infl ated fuel card transactions. Encourage employees to fuel at those facilities that have good onsite security measures, especially closed-circuit television, as these are deterrents to fuel theft . SKIMMING Card and fuel management systems also help identify fraud at the pump from “skimming.” Skimming, explain security offi cials, is the theft of information used during transactions where a credit or debit card is swiped. Basically, criminals install small illegal card-reading devices at gas pumps, ATMs and other public-area machines that process credit/debit cards. Th ese devices “skim” personal information stored on the card’s magnetic strip. Criminals use the stolen data to make counterfeit Light Duty | cards or sell the card’s PIN on the black market. More oft en than not, victims of card skimming are unaware of the theft until they receive a billing statement or an overdraft notice, the offi cials say. Th ey stress thoroughly monitoring and reviewing bank, fuel and debit/credit card transactions, being on the lookout for unauthorized charges, cash withdrawals or transactions on accounts that you don’t recognize or are abnormal. Report any suspicious activity immediately. Skimming is becoming less of an issue with the increased use of “smart cards.” Th ese use chip and PIN technology to increase data security by reducing fraudulent activity for in-person transactions. Chip cards store encrypted personal and account information in a small electronic chip embedded in the card that can be read at chipenabled terminals. Because fuel is typically one of the largest operating expenses for a fl eet, it is essential to accurately track fuel use and expense to be sure fuel isn’t “seeping through the cracks” from theft and fraud. Photo from iStock Continued Page 27 VehicleServicePros.com ❚ AUGUST 2016 ❚ FLEET MAINTENANCE 25
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