5 Ways to Prevent Fuel Theft in Fleet Management | MARK™ GPS and KITAKO™

September 22, 2025

It’s no secret that fuel theft and pilferage rank among the top concerns of fleet owners and managers. Whether it’s siphoning, fraudulent fuel card use, or dishonest refueling practices, fuel theft directly impacts company profits.

In the Philippines alone, the problem is significant. Between 2008 and 2016, 1,582 shipping containers were reported stolen—including petroleum products. In 2017, suspects were arrested for stealing petroleum worth PHP 11 million. More recently, in December 2024, 18 people were arrested for stealing 50,000 liters of diesel valued at PHP 2.35 million.

The good news? Fuel theft is highly preventable with the right strategies. Here are five proven ways to stop fuel pilferage and protect your bottom line:

1. Prevention Through Employee Satisfaction

In any industry, it has been proven that employee satisfaction, fair treatment, and a positive work environment can significantly reduce theft. A people-first approach which consists of hiring carefully, training thoroughly, and treating employees with respect. This approach builds loyalty and trust, naturally lowering the temptation to steal.

2. Implement Strict Fueling Policies and Regular Fuel Audits

Establish clear fueling policies with standard forms for requests, liquidations, and reports. Pairing strict policies with frequent fuel audits helps management track every liter, making it harder for fuel theft to go unnoticed.

3. Monitor Driver Behavior

Unfortunately, fuel theft can also happen internally. To minimize risk, compare mileage against reported fuel consumption, set performance benchmarks, and watch for irregularities in driver behavior. This ensures accountability and promotes responsible fuel use.

4. Use Lockable Fuel Caps & Anti-Siphon Devices

Fuel tanks are an easy target for thieves. Installing lockable fuel caps and anti-siphoning devices makes it harder for anyone to drain fuel directly from the tank. Routine inspections further discourage tampering and improve accountability.

5. Invest in Tracking and Surveillance Systems

It’s difficult for fleet managers to monitor everything manually. That’s why investing in advanced fleet management tools like MARK™ GPS and KITAKO™ makes a huge difference. These solutions not only track your fleet’s location but also send real-time alerts for irregular fuel consumption, helping you detect and stop theft instantly.

Final Thoughts

Fuel theft is a serious concern for fleet operators, but it doesn’t have to drain your profits. By combining strict policies, physical safeguards, employee engagement, and smart GPS technology with fuel monitoring, you can protect your fleet, reduce costs, and maximize efficiency.

Ready to take control of your fuel expenses? Request a demo of MARK™ GPS and KITAKO™ fuel sensors and discover how they detect irregularities before theft happens.