Safety at the Pump

When you are in ownership or management of a fuel station, your top priority is the security of the gas pumps. There are several risks involved with securing a gas station from lawbreakers and looters. Here are some tips on things to look for and who to report to when protecting your station pumps from would-be criminals.

How to Protect Your Pumps From Criminal Intent

Gas pump skimmers, drive-offs, cyber attacks, and telephone scams are all considered crimes at the pump. If you want to protect your business, start with the pump itself and the attached debit and credit card transaction machine. However, you also need to provide protection in terms of computer and telecommunications security—and onsite personal security.

Protecting Against Card Skimmers

Card skimmers are quickly installed straight inside of gas pumps by criminals. Look for tampering at the pump and report any findings immediately to your state department of agriculture and/or consumer services. According to the Federal Trade Commission, card skimmers can be recognized in these ways:

• “Void” mark is indicated on the security seal tape used on the cabinet panel
• Differences in the readers at multiple pumps onsite

Consider upgrading the pumps to encrypted credit card readers to increase security.

Stopping Drive-Offs on Fuel Accounts

In stores where accounts for fuel are made available, there can be times when customers are allowed to pump outside. This can lead to scammers who no longer work for these companies, but are attempting to charge their former employer’s account. To prevent drive-offs, require all payments to be made at the pump with a card or inside with a card or cash.

Preventing Cyber Attacks and Telephone Scams

If you are providing any information online—which all business owners and managers do these days, especially in terms of ordering fuel and products—you are at risk of a cyber attack. This can also occur when dealing with vendors, financial institutions, and fuel account holders over the telephone. When you are calling in a fuel order, to protect against terrorism or other security issues with your fuel delivery, make sure to always follow protocol. If you are ever concerned, take the threat seriously.

Report Fuel Pump Crimes

Report fuel pump crimes that have to do with credit or debit card fraud to your financial banking institution in charge of the transactions. You will need to put a hold or secure information about the transaction, such as time and date stamps, if you have to report a crime to the authorities. It helps having this information in case you do have to call the police, which is the next step. This will cover your company in terms of insurance risks as well, while providing you with the paperwork you need to submit to the provider for coverage.

Finding Safety at the Pump With PWM

If you are in need of a safer system at your fuel station or convenience store, we have several products in store. These include multiple signage products and our signature PWM price signs.

PWM Electronic Price Signs supports globalized, nationwide and independent stations with safety solutions at the fuel pump. Contact our office by calling 713-290-0626 to speak with a representative today.