Are you taking steps to prevent fraud, theft, and loss? Many operators are focused on fleet maintenance and overhead cost reduction and aren’t aware of the risks from thieves and scammers targeting commercial fueling network (CFN) cards. Are you protecting your CFN cards as you would a credit or debit card, or other assets tied to your accounts? If not, you’re leaving yourself and your organization at risk.
It’s a fact that scammers have developed technology to make it easier than ever to steal information and valuable assets through use of magnetic and RFID-enabled cards. They can install readers at the pump to target both magnetic strips and the newer chip technology, and use the gleaned information to clone cards and steal data that allows them to steal from you down the line.
Today, we’re going to share a bit of information that will help you protect your assets and investment, by giving you the tools you need to avoid the potential pain points of theft, misuse, and loss at the pump. We’re sharing three main ‘best practices,’ with recommendations for fleet fueling service leadership, maintenance, and support staff. You’ll want to bookmark this link to share with your team and refer to later.
Tips From A Fleet Fueling Service Provider To Prevent CFN Loss And Theft
Tip #1: Stay informed and aware.
Are you informed about the types of fraudulent practices bad actors use to steal CFN info? Unfortunately, thieves have gotten savvy about using technology to steal card information. You need to watch for the following:
– Wanding: The practice of getting close enough to a magnetic card to “read” it and steal valuable data that allows access to accounts and other information.
– Skimming: When thieves install a small, unnoticeable card reader on a fuel pump payment terminal to take the card information when you swipe it to make a payment for fuel.
– Shimming: Similar to skimming, this is a device installed at a fuel payment pump to read the newer EMV card chips and steal information to clone the card, and steal from the account.
All of these are theft practices that your team will need to be aware of and watch out for at the pump.
Tip #2: Keep track of critical information.
Getting started, you’ll want to make it a point to know the potential use amounts of fuel for your vehicles, the patterns and habits of drivers, and the typical charge amounts on your card. Otherwise, it will become hard to spot fraudulent activity.
Additionally, just as you’d want to keep track of credit or debit card purchases, and watch for out of the ordinary activity, you’ll also want to keep an eye on the amounts moving through on a CFN card. It just makes good sense, and it will save you trouble if you catch any fraudulent activity early.
Tip #3: Put preventative measures in place.
One easy thing you can do getting started is to protect cards by purchasing RFID blocking wallets or sleeves, to prevent wanding. Also be sure to inform your drivers and maintenance crew of the risks and have them take care to watch for anything suspicious at the pump on a payment terminal.
You may also want to set policies in place to better track fuel purchases, if necessary, and inform your staff of the need to prevent fraud and theft. For example, you might find it useful to restrict card usage based on need, or through a reporting system, that the drivers take part in.
Ideas include restricting card usage by time of day, geography, or amount per month. If you see purchases outside of the normal shift hours, or range for your fleet, you’ll know to check if your CFN card has been compromised or cloned.
Ready to get started? We can help and we will be happy to answer any questions you might have about CFN technology and use. Please don’t hesitate to reach out!
About Us
If you need additional information, please know that the team at Greg’s Petro is here to help. As your commercial fuel and lubricant supplier in Bakersfield, Fresno, San Luis Obispo, Santa Clarita or Ventura, California areas, we are available to help answer any questions you might have. Visit us online or give us a call to learn more.