Managers, stay alert to the various forms of fuel card misuse

Fuel card fraud comes in various forms, both external and internal. Knowing these risks can help you take the right precautions.

External Fuel Card Misuse

• Skimming: Card readers are manipulated to steal data and PINs.
• Card Theft: Cards and PINs left in vehicles become easy targets.
• Card Swapping: Stolen cards are swapped with ones in vehicles.
• Identity Theft: Fraudsters apply for cards using your company’s name.
• Postal Theft: Cards and PINs are stolen or copied in transit.
• Phishing: Clicking on fake email links exposes sensitive data.

Internal Fuel Card Misuse

• Fueling Other Vehicles: Cards are used for non-company vehicles.
• Multiple Pump Billing: One card is used to fuel several vehicles.
• Fake Billing: Unused fuel is charged, and money pocketed.
• Card Duplication: Employees copy cards for cash.
• Overfueling: Extra fuel is used privately or sold.

How to Protect Against Misuse

Affinity and DKV have taken card security very seriously for a long time, investing significantly over the years in security processes and technology. As a result, we have been able to minimize losses due to card theft and misuse

Here are key steps to stay ahead of fuel card misuse:

• Never leave your card unattended in vehicles.
• Keep cards in sight; don’t let station staff take them elsewhere.
• Check card readers for tampering.
• Never share or write down your PIN.
• Set daily, weekly, and monthly card limits.
• Enable notifications for suspicious activity.
• Report and block stolen or misused cards immediately.
• In the case of theft – the user should have the fuel card blocked immediately and report it at the nearest police station.
• Use tools like DKV LIVE to monitor and prevent fraud.

By staying vigilant and following these steps, you can safeguard your fuel cards effectively.