theft

Take a Multipronged Approach To Combat Fuel Theft

Fuel theft is a significant concern for trucking companies, leading to financial losses, increasing business costs and potentially disrupting operations. Fuel theft can happen in various ways, from drivers misusing company fuel cards to criminals installing skimming devices at fuel pumps to capture payment card information, which they then use until a fleet manager deactivates the card.

Reducing the risk of fuel theft requires a multipronged approach that includes technology, training and increased awareness. Solutions include:

Real-time monitoring and telematics: Integrating telematics and real-time monitoring systems allows fleets to monitor vehicle routes and fuel consumption patterns and ensure drivers are stopping at authorized fueling locations. Unusual or unexpected variations in fuel levels or increases in out-of-route miles can trigger alerts. Telematics systems can also help optimize routes, reducing unnecessary fuel consumption and overall vulnerability to theft.

Fuel audits: Closely monitoring fuel purchases, comparing receipts with driver logs, and monitoring fuel levels relative to the distance traveled can help identify theft. An audit can also identify other causes of decreased fuel efficiency, such as driver behavior or maintenance needs. Clogged or inefficient fuel injectors, exhaust and air leaks, and worn brake parts can all affect fuel economy.

Fuel cards with enhanced security features: Implementing secure fuel cards with PIN codes and regularly updating access credentials adds an extra layer of protection. Other security features tied to fuel cards include restricted locations and purchasing limits, which can help reduce unauthorized transactions.

Employee training: Fleet operators should train drivers about company policies regarding fuel theft, consequences and potential risks. Training could also cover security protocols, safe parking practices and reporting procedures.

Additional Solutions

Penske Truck Leasing offers fuel at hundreds of locations, and each location features full-service islands, which provide fleets with an added layer of protection. Customer service representatives fuel the vehicle, so fleets know fuel is going into the right assets. Plus, Penske’s full-service fueling experience is typically faster than self-service at a travel center or truck stop, saving drivers time.

Penske employees walk around the tractor and trailer and check for maintenance issues, such as mud flaps, headlights or taillights that need repair, which can reduce the risk of a roadside violation.

Another benefit of the Penske Truck Leasing fuel network is that all the information is consolidated into one bill and broken down by truck, location and transaction, making it easy to spot any anomalies.

For customers who are on the road, Penske Truck Leasing offers a proprietary fuel card that can be used at more than 100,000 fuel merchant locations across the country. With the card, fleets can set up security parameters, such as authorization controls, restrictions on specific fueling times and locations, and spending limits to minimize the risk of fraud. Similar to when a driver fuels at a Penske location, purchases on a Penske designated fuel card automatically transmit to Penske.

Fleets can also opt to bring fuel to the trucks so drivers don’t need to stop for fuel. Penske Truck Leasing has a network of mobile fueling providers that fill trucks on-site when parked. This can be done at night, so the equipment is ready to go when drivers arrive the next morning.

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Penske Launches Offensive to Battle Catalytic Converter Theft

Catalytic converter theft has skyrocketed in recent months as organized groups of thieves continue to illegally cut these devices out of cars, SUVs, and rental trucks at an increasingly alarming rate.

While this has been an ongoing issue for several years, thefts have increased exponentially throughout the recent pandemic period.

Penske's corporate security team is now spearheading a significant outreach program to law enforcement at the city, state and federal levels and cooperating with various catalytic converter theft task forces in hotspots around the country.

"We're also undertaking an aggressive effort to use a new etching technology and exploring other methods to better track stolen catalytic converters within our expansive fleet of trucks," said Scott Brunner, vice president of Security at Penske Transportation Solutions.

Catalytic Converter Thefts by the Numbers

Catalytic converters are emission control devices used on vehicles including Penske's rental trucks that help reduce air pollution.

Thieves are stealing these devices because they often contain high-value metals such as rhodium, platinum and palladium. Once removed and stolen, these devices are then sold by thieves to metal recycling and scrap yards netting the thieves a hefty payday.

"Catalytic converter theft is an increasing problem for consumers and businesses," Brunner said. "It's not a victimless crime. The theft of these devices can cause customers great inconvenience, disables vehicles for repairs, and drives up costs for consumers."

A recent State Farm report examined catalytic converter theft claims from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021, and found thefts grew nearly 293% nationwide, representing more than 18,000 instances.

Compared with the same time period just a year earlier, theft reports from the last half of 2019 to the first half of 2020 numbered just above 4,500.

State Farm reported the total paid to customers during the most recent 12-month period was more than $33.7 million. In the previous 12-month period it was slightly below $9 million.

When it comes to claims, California leads the way with more than 3 out of 10 claims being filed in the state. Texas is second, with roughly 1 out of 10 claims, followed by Minnesota, Washington and Illinois, according to State Farm's examination of data from the first half of 2021.

While the value of metals contained in catalytic converters is a driver of the increase in thefts, the National Insurance Crime Bureau linked the thefts to the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We have seen a significant increase during the pandemic. It's an opportunistic crime. As the value of the precious metals contained within the catalytic converters continues to increase, so do the number of thefts of these devices," said David Glawe. NICB president and CEO. "There is a clear connection between times of crisis, limited resources, and disruption of the supply chain that drives investors towards these precious metals."

As of the end of February 2021, 18 states – Arkansas, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia – are evaluating potential legislative actions to curb the theft problem, according to the NICB.

Protecting Your Fleet

Penske Truck Leasing recommends all fleet operators take note of this trend and to take protective measures including:

  • Properly secure vehicles
  • Park in well-lit areas
  • Use perimeter fencing when vehicles are domiciled overnight
  • Invest in parking lot video surveillance
  • Train drivers to look for signs related to theft or tampering during their pre-trip and post-trip vehicle inspections
  • Inspect the catalytic converter area often
  • Report catalytic converter theft to law enforcement immediately

By "Move Ahead" Staff

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