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The Most Effective Ways to Prevent Fuel Loss and Theft in Vehicle Fleets

PUBLISHED

January 26, 2024

READING TIME

Key points:

Beware of direct copying of card information, forged invoices, and misuse of fuel cards, often carried out by insiders.
Install fuel level sensors to monitor fuel levels in the tank in real time and receive notifications if there is a suspicious sudden drop.
Verify all fuel transactions by comparing vehicle location, time, and fuel level data to detect fraud.

Many businesses are unaware they are suffering significant fuel losses due to a lack of specialised monitoring tools. If this situation persists, it can result in losses of tens of millions of VND per month. Implementing a fleet management solution integrated with a fuel monitoring system is the optimal solution to completely eliminate this problem.

What is fuel theft?

Fuel theft is the act of siphoning gasoline or diesel fuel from a vehicle without the permission of the vehicle owner or management. In the transportation business, this behavior takes many forms: from directly siphoning fuel from the tank to using the vehicle for personal purposes outside of working hours.

Businesses with larger fleets, or those that utilise many heavy trucks and fuel-intensive construction machinery, will experience more severe financial losses.

Common methods of fuel theft and fraud.

Fuel fraud is often perpetrated by internal personnel colluding with external parties. Below are some of the most common methods:

1. Direct fuel siphoning

This is the most traditional and common method. Thieves use specialised suction pipes or mini pumps to siphon fuel from the tank to external cans/drums. This behavior may be carried out by theft gangs taking advantage of vehicles parked in secluded areas, or by drivers themselves siphoning off fuel and selling it to illegal fuel collection points along the roadside.

2. Manipulating fuel bills

Drivers collude with gas station employees to inflate the amount of fuel actually loaded. For example, the company approves a load of 100 liters, but the driver only actually loads 80 liters and requests a receipt for 100 liters. The difference of 20 liters is then divided among them.

See also: Monitoring fuel consumption using fuel sensors and fuel probes

3. Fraud and abuse of fuel cards

At businesses that issue specialised fuel cards, drivers can collude with gas stations to swipe their cards multiple times, or use company cards to refuel their personal vehicles and for purposes outside of work.

The serious impact of fuel loss on businesses

1. Significant financial losses

This increases operating costs, reduces profit margins, and generates additional personnel costs for investigating and verifying fraud.

2. Damage and reduced lifespan of the vehicle

Tampering with or prying open the fuel tank cap or interfering with the fuel lines can damage the pump system, clog fuel injectors, and reduce engine performance.

3. Risk of accidents, fire and explosions

Unsafe fuel siphoning can easily lead to leaks and spills, posing a serious fire hazard to vehicles and parking areas.

How to detect fuel fraud and theft

1. Inspect the vehicle's physical damage and performance.

Observe for signs of tampering or scratches around the fuel tank cap, a strong fuel smell around the vehicle after a shift, or signs of sluggish performance or loss of power due to clogged fuel lines.

2. Utilise telecommunications fuel monitoring technology.

The accurate real-time fuel level measurement system helps you precisely track every liter of fuel consumed, and immediately detects sudden fuel drops (when the vehicle is turned off or parked) so you can take timely preventative measures.

See more: What is a fuel management system?

Fuel theft prevention process with a fleet management system.

1. Instant real-time alerts

Set up automatic notifications to be sent to your phone/email immediately when there is any unusual fluctuation in fuel levels (sudden increase/decrease outside of designated refueling stations).

2. Verify charging location using GPS

Accurately verifying the vehicle's GPS coordinates at the time of the fuel refueling transaction prevents fraudulent billing at locations without gas stations.

3. Control the level and capacity of the storage tank

Set the maximum fuel refill limit to match the actual fuel tank capacity of each vehicle, automatically flagging any refills that exceed the vehicle's capacity.

Cartrack's comprehensive fuel loss prevention solution

1. High-precision fuel sensor

Cartrack offers flexible monitoring options including: capacitive fuel level sensors (99% accurate fuel gauges), mechanical float sensors, and CANbus engine data loggers, enabling immediate detection of any abnormal fuel drain.

2. AI cameras monitor the vehicle's interior and surroundings

Smart cameras record continuously in real time, storing clear video evidence at the time of the incident, creating a strong deterrent for drivers intending to cheat.

3. MiFleet Cost Management System

Automatically reconciles invoices and fuel costs with the vehicle's actual trip data, quickly identifying discrepancies and unusual transactions.

Why do transportation companies trust and choose Cartrack?

Simplify administration and data entry: Businesses completely eliminate manual record-keeping. The Cartrack system automates the data reconciliation process, reducing processing time from days to just minutes.
Early identification of waste points: Risk assessment in fuel allocation and consumption transactions helps managers detect early signs of unusual losses and thoroughly eliminate errors caused by human factors.
Maximise operating cost savings: Thanks to in-depth analysis of vehicle utilisation efficiency, businesses can proactively intervene to prevent fuel loss risks, thereby optimising operating budgets.
Preventing and deterring fraud: Cartrack's accurate fraud monitoring and detection capabilities enhance drivers' sense of responsibility and eliminate the tendency to cheat, as they know that any unusual behavior will be recorded and processed.

See also: Advanced tools! Easily monitor fuel for all industries!

Put an end to fuel theft with Cartrack

Monitor all transactions and fuel consumption across your entire fleet with Cartrack's comprehensive fleet management solution. By establishing layers of robust security, Cartrack not only helps you reduce fuel costs but also completely eliminates the risk of theft.

With an investment cost starting from... 150,000 VND/month For each vehicle, you can prevent potential losses of up to tens of millions of VND per month. Fill out the form or contact us immediately via Zalo/Whatsapp to receive a demo experience and the best offers from the Cartrack Vietnam team.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

Can fuel be stolen from a car?

Yes, by siphoning fuel. Thieves typically use hoses to directly siphon fuel or use special pumps to transfer fuel from the vehicle's fuel tank to a separate tank. For commercial vehicles, this practice may be carried out by company drivers or by third parties working in cooperation with the drivers.

How can fuel theft be detected?

You can detect fuel theft through physical inspections, observing vehicle behavior, and using a fleet management telecommunications system. For high accuracy, you can use a Fleet Management System equipped with fuel monitoring capabilities.

What other word would describe fuel theft?

Another term for fuel theft in general is fuel theft. Theft by directly siphoning or pumping is called vacuum siphoning.

How can we prevent drivers from stealing fuel?

You can use a monitoring system like a Fleet Management System with fuel monitoring features to detect potential theft. Inform drivers that each vehicle is equipped with a monitoring system so that any theft or fraud will be dealt with severely.

Is it possible to completely drain the gasoline from a car?

Yes, but doing it without permission could be considered theft. The perpetrators often damage the fuel cap or fuel lines on the vehicle and then use a hose to siphon out all the fuel.