What Is Fuel Card Fraud, and How Can You Protect Your Business From It?

Fuel card fraud is a growing risk for businesses with company vehicles. Whether it's internal misuse or external theft, it can quietly drain your budget if you’re not keeping an eye on it. And because fuel cards are such a key tool for managing costs and keeping your fleet on the road, fraud often slips under the radar. In this guide, we’ll show you what fuel card fraud looks like, how to spot it early, and how to protect your business before it costs you.

Jump to:

• The most common types of fuel card fraud
• How fuel card fraud damages your business
• How the right card helps you spot fraud sooner
• How to respond to signs of fuel fraud
• Key takeaways

The most common types of fuel card fraud

Fuel card fraud isn’t always a stolen card or a hacked account (though those happen, too). Here are some common types of fuel card fraud:

• Internal misuse: A driver topping up a personal car or using the card outside of business hours
• Fuel card theft: Lost cards falling into the wrong hands
• Fake fuel receipts: Submitted to cover other spending
• Card cloning: Dodgy card readers or skimming devices at fuel stations
• Unauthorised transactions: Fuel purchases that don’t match expected locations or timings on work routes.

The tricky part? It doesn’t always jump out. Fraud often hides in regular-looking transactions, especially when there’s no system in place to flag unusual activity. And because fuel is one of your biggest ongoing costs, even a few small incidents can quietly eat into your bottom line.

How fuel card fraud damages your business

Fraud doesn’t just hit your fuel bill. It can add admin, cause delays, and impact trust in the team. If left unchecked, it can turn into a bigger problem across your entire operation. A 2022 survey revealed that nearly half of fleet operators lose 1% to 5% of their fuel budget to fraud. This seems like a small percentage, but for large fleets, it can mean a big chunk of change.

Here’s what you can do today to help avoid fuel card fraud:

• Use individual cards for each driver
• Review transactions regularly and compare them with routes or mileage
• Set up daily or weekly spend limits to reduce the risk of big hits
• Track receipts and flag anything that looks unusual or inconsistent
• Watch for patterns: multiple fill-ups in one day, out-of-hours purchases, or locations that don’t match delivery areas
• Educate your team on proper use and what’s considered misuse

The goal isn’t to micromanage but to create a system where any suspicious activity stands out so you can catch it early.

How the right card helps you spot fraud sooner

Many fuel card providers now have built-in security features as standard. Look out for those that offer:

• Real-time alerts for unusual spending
• PIN protection and card limits by driver or vehicle
• Integration with telematics or mileage tracking
• Automatic protection for lost or stolen cards
• Online portals where you can monitor fuel spend and see spending patterns

Want to know which providers offer the most security benefits? Get in touch or check out our range of fuel cards today.

How to respond to signs of fuel fraud

If you think you’ve spotted signs of fuel fraud, here’s what to do:

1. Freeze or cancel the card immediately
2. Request a replacement card if it’s been lost or cloned
3. Flag the transaction with your provider and start an internal check
4. Review who had access and when. Was it a one-off or part of a wider issue?
5. Remind your team of the rules and reset expectations where needed

Some cases will be honest mistakes. Others may need more investigation. But the key is to act quickly, keep things clear, and tighten your systems going forward.

Key takeaways

• Fuel card fraud is more common than you think. And it’s not always obvious. Internal misuse, card cloning, and fake receipts can easily fly under the radar.
• Small issues quickly become big costs. Even a few suspicious fill-ups can dent your fuel budget and reduce trust in your team.
• Regular checks make a difference. Monitoring spend, reviewing routes, and setting card limits help flag fraud before it gets out of hand.
• The right fuel card matters. Choose one with real-time alerts, PIN protection, and online spend tracking to catch unusual activity early.
• Act fast if you spot an issue. Freeze the card, flag the transaction, and review what happened. Quick action helps stop repeat offences.
• Education is your first defence. When drivers know what counts as misuse, they’re far less likely to break the rules (intentionally or not).

Choose the best fuel card with InterFuels

Fuel card fraud doesn’t always make headlines. But it can quietly cost your business more than you realise. With the right setup and regular checks, you can reduce risk and stay in control of your fuel spend.

Interfuels offers a range of UK fuel cards tailored to your security needs, whether you want basic spend tracking or more advanced controls. With access to over 7,600 sites nationwide, you’ll find the right card to keep your business protected.

Get started today with your free quote.