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.

News & Events

Spain: temporary measures on VAT and excise duties (March–June 2026)

Dear customer,

We inform you that the Spanish authorities have introduced a set of temporary measures aimed at reducing fuel costs in the transport sector, applicable from 22 March 2026.

Application period
The measures entered into force on 22 March 2026 and are applicable until 30 June 2026, as published in the Boletín Oficial del Estado (BOE).
Temporary reduction of the VAT rate
The VAT rate for diesel has been temporarily reduced from 21% to 10%.
The application of the reduced rate in June 2026 depends on the evolution of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the month of April:

If the CPI does not exceed the level of April 2025 by more than 15%, the VAT rate will return to 21%.
If the CPI exceeds this 15% threshold, the reduced rate of 10% will continue to apply in June.

Products covered by the reduced VAT rate: Petrol, Diesel, Hydrocarbons (except coal and solid hydrocarbons)

Excise duty measures – professional diesel

The excise duty refund (EUR 0.049/litre) is temporarily suspended and set at zero.
A temporary aid of EUR 0.20/litre is granted to diesel beneficiaries.
This aid:

Applies to transport operators eligible for the partial refund of excise duty on hydrocarbons;
It is only available for vehicles registered with the Agencia Tributaria;
Temporarily replaces the standard excise duty refund mechanism.
The granting of the aid is conditional on payments being made by fuel cards for diesel.

The Affinity Team