FIGHTING FUEL THEFT

PRICES HAVE DROPPED SOMEWHAT. IS FUEL THEFT STILL AN ISSUE?

Fuel theft has been rampant since prices skyrocketed after the start of the Russia-Ukraine war. Although the prices have now moderated somewhat, the issue has not gone away. For just one example, this January, thieves in Hilltown Township, Pennsylvania, stole $3,000 worth of diesel—261 gallons—at a retailer by using two trucks with extra tanks and accessing, then bypassing, the pay system in the dispenser.

HOW IS FUEL BEING STOLEN?

There are numerous ways. You can steal fuel from the tanks directly through the UST manhole with specially modified trucks or vans if they can be parked over the manhole during vulnerable hours. There are a variety of ways to steal fuel directly from the dispenser, particularly older models, if you can gain access to the insides and manipulate some of the electronic systems. I won’t go into specifics on how, obviously, but unfortunately you can find tutorials on the internet.

WHAT SHOULD STORE ASSOCIATES DO?

Associates are often inexperienced and busy at peak times during the day, and managers may be distracted with any number of tasks. The thieves are very accomplished at knowing how not to draw attention at the site. They may even pretend to be maintenance personnel. Train staff to be very aware of customers who are spending too much time at a dispenser. Train them to look for unusual behaviors on the forecourt and the types of behaviors to watch out for and what actions to take. And if maintenance personnel arrive unexpectedly, have staff confirm with headquarters that there is maintenance scheduled for that day.

HOW CAN AN OPERATOR PHYSICALLY PREVENT THEFT?

There are a variety of ways. For the USTs themselves, you can make sure they are secured with quality locks and caps. They can also be blocked off, to a varying degree, to where essential access is not a burden but unauthorized access draws attention. Cameras