How To Keep Your Truck Drivers From Becoming Victims Of Fuel Theft And Card Skimming
Posted on: 14 October 2018
When you are operating a company that uses fleets, one of the challenges is dealing with fuel theft. Refined fuel is more attractive to thieves, because it is easier to sell. This can cut into your bottom line and can force drivers to refuel their trucks more often. Fortunately, there are practices your drivers can use that will make it more difficult for thieves to steal from your trucks.
Be Careful Where You Park
Your fleet should always be parked in a secure location. Always park in a secure parking lot or a truck stop. Do not park a truck in a back alley. Also, make sure that your truck lot always has lighting installed so thieves cannot sneak onto the truck lot to steal fuel.
Check Fuel Pumps
Instruct your drivers to always check fuel pumps. Some criminals install card readers on fuel pumps that can scan cards for information. Make sure that the driver looks for anything suspicious. Tell drivers to choose gas pumps that are the closest to the building.
Use Fuel Cards
Make sure to use fuel cards. Doing so will allow you to keep all of your fuel purchases secure. You are able to set permissions for when your drivers use the fuel card. You are able to check the fuel card accounts and set limits to keep control over how often your fuel cards are used.
Check the Fuel Gauge
Require that your drivers inspect the fuel gauge periodically to make sure that there hasn't been a sudden drop in the amount of fuel in the tank. If the driver notices that a quarter of the fuel is suddenly gone, this almost always is a sign of fuel theft.
Install Anti-Theft Devices
Make sure to use products that make it more difficult for thieves to steal fuel from your trucks. For example, install locking fuel caps and anti-siphon fuel tank inserts. These tools make it more difficult to access the fuel tank without a key and prevent the hose from being inserted enough to steal fuel.
If you discover that your truck has been siphoned, you may need to have it taken to a mechanic. The hose will become trapped inside the fuel tank because the tank is only meant to allow fuel to enter the tank, not for a tube to be pulled out. The cost of removing the tube can be surprisingly expensive. For more help, contact a company like Folsom Diesel Works.
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