Fuel Theft Trends

There are two main types of fuel theft: pulser theft and valve theft.

 

What is it?
What are the signs?
Pulser Theft

A thief disrupts or modifies the signal going from the pulser in the dispenser to the pump controller and essentially slows down those pulses.

Then they can get significant quantities of fuel for a transaction that’s only ringing up for a few cents or a few dollars. 

The transaction time for the dispenser will be very long, but the level of fuel dispensed will be very low.
Valve TheftA thief finds the dispenser valve wires that control the proportional valve (or the two-stage valve if it’s a high-flow dispenser) and applies an external power source and opens the valve.

From there the thief can just pour out as much fuel as they want without the dispenser knowing.		You will see fuel variance, but no transaction at all on the dispenser as the dispenser doesn’t even know it’s being used.

You might also see holes on the valve wires from where the thief connected their external power source.

Additionally with dispensers it is important to keep an eye out for payment / credit card theft. This usually comes in the form of a physical overlay being placed on the payment system.

Secure Solutions

Gilbarco Veeder-Root offers multiple types of solutions that address fuel theft:

General Security
  • Door Sensors 2.0: The sensors cover strategic areas including the upper main door, lower panel, printer door and sheathing, and log every door access event. Through a Forecourt subscription, Door Sensors 2.0 can be remotely monitored and managed.
  • Reinforced Lower Panel: This heavy gauge steel panel interlocks to the base rail and side columns, preventing unauthorized access to lower hydraulics.
Pulser Security
  • Encrypted Pulser for Standard Flow Dispensers: This solution encrypts pulses to prevent manipulation and features multi-point lift-off detection and a reinforced metallic enclosure.
  • Ultra-Hi Pulser Security Cover: Cover with a welded steel construction and a lock-ready latch.
Valve Wire Security
  • Ultra-Hi Security Barriers: These heavy gauge steel barriers block access to all electronics and are dual “puck lock” ready.

General Security options help with both pulser and valve theft.

PCN5: The Latest and Greatest in Dispenser Security

PCN5 (Pump Control Node 5) provides you with a connected option that enhances dispenser security.

When connected to Forecourt, PCN5 settings can be configured remotely. That means there’s no need to send a tech out to your site to configure security enhancing settings like:

  • Limit gallons
  • Limit amount
  • Max dispenser timeout
  • 0 Flow
  • Start Time

PCN5 is the only pump control node in the industry that supports remote software updates, allowing you to keep your software up to date and stay ahead of security trends and avoid bugs.

Learn more about PCN5 here.

The Bottom Line

Fuel thieves will always be around, but so will we – offering innovative solutions to deter them.

PCN5 is the latest proof of that, and it is something we are continuing to work on. The next step is PCN5 being able to protect itself based on data it receives from the dispenser.

That way it can monitor transactions and if it detects something wrong it will stop it with no human interaction needed – even remotely.

PCN5 and Forecourt are both available now! Contact your account manager today to discover how to add them to your site.

The information from this blog was first presented at RTC25.
RTC26 U.S. will be in Tucson, AZ this year from May 11th - May 14th, register today at rtc.invenco.com