Over-the-road fuel cards: How data, fraud protection, and cardless payments help trucking fleets

In many industries, the cost of paying employees is the largest percentage of the annual budget. Trucking is no different: the people who drive the trucks require wages. The second largest budget item is fuel. So how do carriers manage fuel costs? And what does it look like in this era of spiked oil demand and economic uncertainty? How do fuel cards help the trucking business manage those costs?

On a recent Petro Talk episode, hosts Ori and Tal Ezra, of SCI Global, a fuel management technology company for commercial fleets, were joined by WEX’s VP, National Accounts, Matt Crumpton. They discussed the industry, and why fuel cards are so important to the work of an OTR leader. This report explores that conversation and examines why partnering with a fuel card company is a top priority for OTR businesses.

How does fuel card data help trucking companies control costs?

OTR businesses partner with fuel card companies to monitor card use: how much they’re spending, and on what items. On Petro Talk, Crumpton explained: “When your drivers use fuel cards, you get access to a lot of valuable information. You know where your driver is fueling, what fuel they’re fueling, what grade of fuel they’re fueling, who approved it, and if other items beyond fuel were part of the transaction. With fuel card data, especially with card companies that provide Level III data, you have a holistic view of the spend. This allows you to best maintain control.” In this era of high fuel prices, tariffs, and general global economic uncertainty, visibility and control over where your dollars are going is a top strategic priority.

How can trucking fleets prevent fuel card fraud?

As reported by the Pew Research Center, fraud is skyrocketing globally. The Federal Trade Commission reported that, in 2024, there was a record $196 billion in losses due to fraud. 

Artificial Intelligence has made fraud less detectable. Bad actors have become more sophisticated, and their content is much more believable as a result.

As phishing and other types of credit card fraud become harder to detect, below are some actions to take. These will help you prevent damage to your business.

Nine ways to prevent fuel card fraud:

• Set up SecureFuel^® on your account for additional security
  • SecureFuel uses GPS technology to ensure the vehicle at the pump is tied to your account and appropriate to use your fuel card. This helps you protect against fraudulent transactions.
• Freeze/unfreeze tool
  • Control when your card can be used. Freeze when not in use. Temporarily unfreeze your card in the CardControl app when you’re ready to make a purchase. This allows you to keep your card secure and protect against unauthorized transactions.
• Require exact match prompting
  • Requiring drivers to enter specific values at the point of sale will help mitigate fraud. WEX’s Dynamic Prompt requires two-factor authentication at the pump, which is a form of exact match prompting and will help protect your accounts from fraud. 
• Review the product purchase limits on your fleet fuel card and bring them up-to-date
  • Limit the times a product or service can be purchased and/or the number of transactions your fuel card(s) can perform by day, week, or month. This will help you protect against fraudulent activity. 
• Implement restrictions on number of transactions per day
  • Set number of times per day drivers can use their fuel cards. This gives your business more control and visibility and helps prevent unwanted use.
• Require real-time trip number validation
  • Add a trip number prompt to your cards and update this number as drivers are sent out on new trips.
• Set site restrictions
  • Lock down your fueling network to a limited number of merchants.
• Manage card status
  • Clean up unused and idle cards by updating their status to “hold” or “inactive.” This will prevent bad actors from discovering those idle cards and reactivating them.
• Train employees on fraud prevention on a regular basis
  • Regularly educate your employees on the most common fraud tactics. Empower your employees to say “no” to requests that are out-of-the-ordinary or give them pause. Provide mandatory, annual fraud training.

What are the most common types of fuel card fraud in trucking?

Social engineering and transaction fraud have become common in the trucking industry. With the advent of generative AI, access to information allowing fraudsters to obtain credit lines has become easy. With an AI engine, you can prompt your machine to learn about a business. You can then use that information to fraudulently obtain credit lines from the business.

As Crumpton describes it, “We’re seeing an increase in social engineering fraud. This is where fraudsters are calling or emailing our customers and posing as a vendor. They may pretend to be an IT representative. They then get a customer password and ID, or pretend to be a driver and ask for a money code or portal access. Customers are then inadvertently giving out proprietary information.”

Crumpton encourages trucking management to train their employees about fraud. “Teach your staff that WEX will never call your business or email you asking for a customer I.D. or password. Train employees taking calls that when unsure whether or not the caller is legitimate, they should get a callback number. They should then talk to their manager, and proceed from there.” Training staff to always lock their computers and change passwords regularly is also important to help protect against fraud. Read on to learn more about the different types of transaction fraud in the industry today.

Account takeover fraud

Identity theft happens in a variety of ways. Of those types of identity theft, account takeover is the most common and most effective form of fraud in OTR today. Account takeover involves a cybercriminal accessing someone else’s online accounts. The criminal obtains login credentials, and uses them to illegally access another person’s valuables. If there is one improperly secured app or website the victim has access to, the floodgates open for the cybercriminal. They can then make their way through connecting paths to get to other accounts. They can then take control of the victim’s assets.

Account takeover reaches into layer after layer of accounts causing all kinds of problems for the victim. This type of fraud is difficult to counteract and has far-reaching implications. Multi-factor authentication with WEX’s dynamic prompt and tokenization (where possible) should be activated to combat account takeover.

Lost and stolen fuel card fraud

Thieves find a lost card or steal a company card. They then make fuel purchases or convenience store purchases with the card illegally.

Card skimming at the pump

A common form of fuel card fraud involves obtaining card data through a skimming device. Criminals install hidden devices on fuel pumps or point-of-sale terminals. They then capture credit card information from users when they swipe their card. They “skim” the data off the card without the driver’s knowledge. They then use that information to make fraudulent purchases.

Phishing and social engineering attacks

Fraudsters send emails or messages that appear to be from legitimate sources. They then recipients into clicking on malicious links or providing sensitive information. As highlighted by Forbes and based on a 3rd party Email Risk Security Report, 74% of account takeover attacks start with phishing.

Phishing attacks include:

• Email phishing: Stealing sensitive information through email.
• Whaling: Sending a highly personalized message targeting high-profile employees aimed to extract company information.
• Vishing: Using voicemail or phone calls sounding like a reputable source and extracting information.
• Spear phishing: Obtaining sensitive information through public databases. This includes through email lists, social media, or even via text or phone call.

First-party fraud 

Anytime an authorized representative makes a transaction using their own identity to commit fraud, it’s called first-party fraud. The person perpetrating the fraud easily authenticates the transactions they are making. Even if an alert pops up prompting them to manually authorize the purchase, they’ll simply do so and continue with the fraudulent activity undeterred.

Here are a few examples of how first-party fraud could look in practice:

• An individual applies for a fuel card with their real identity but has no intention of re-paying the debt. 
• When a business opens a fleet card account, they give each driver a fuel card to use. First-party fraud occurs when one of those drivers uses their card to purchase fuel for a personal vehicle. 
• Fraud can also happen when an employee brings friends and their vehicles to the pump. The card holder then allows each friend to fill their tank.

First-party fraud experiences upticks during economic downturns. 

Application fraud

Proecting your accounts with smart passwords will help protect against application fraud. This occurs when a fraudster applies for credit using stolen or inaccurate information.

Application fraud and first-party fraud overlap. This is because application fraud often involves legitimate consumers using their own identity to commit fraud. These types of fraud are the hardest to detect because they involve the use of a true identity.

Card counterfeiting and RFID overlay fraud

Crumpton describes another type of fraud that’s been cropping up in the trucking industry. This is the reproduction of a physical card with someone else’s data. This is called deep fake counterfeiting. The card can be swiped and used to pump fuel. It’s very hard to detect. “Today, fraudsters have clear RFID adhesive overlays they’ve produced. They place them on top of the tap and pay payment option that captures information.”

You’ll want to partner with a provider who’s got detections and prevention in place in advance of any fraudster’s activity.

What are cardless fuel payments, and how do they work for OTR fleets?

WEX has a decades-long commitment to protecting fleets from fraud at the pump. The latest advancement comes with the launch of cardless fuel payments for its OTR customers. This new capability lets drivers generate a secure, single-use fuel code directly in the WEX CardControl app. This allows drivers to fuel up in seconds with no physical fuel card needed.

How do cardless payments help protect against fraud?

Physical fuel cards can create fraud and security exposure for fleets. Lost, stolen, shared, or skimmed cards can lead to unauthorized charges, driver downtime, and added administrative burden. Cardless fuel payments are designed to close those gaps. They give drivers and fleet managers one of the most secure ways to pay at the pump available in trucking today.

“Fraud at the pump doesn’t just cost fleets money, it costs them driver uptime. It also costs them hours their teams don’t have to spare replacing cards and chasing down unauthorized charges,” said Tim Hampton, senior vice president and general manager for WEX Over-the-Road business. “WEX built cardless payments to reduce that exposure without asking fleets to change how they already manage spend. as it seamlessly integrates into their existing WEX card rather than replacing it.”

At launch, WEX OTR cardless gives fleets:

• Reduced Fraud Exposure — Each fuel code is single-use, location-specific, and expires after a short window. This means we’re virtually eliminating the exposure window a lost or stolen physical card leaves open.
• Faster Driver Onboarding — Cardless simplifies the logistics of card distribution. Once new drivers receive their card, they can be authorized to fuel within minutes.
• Same Spend Control & Visibility — Cardless fuel codes run through a fleet’s existing WEX card program. This allows the controls and reporting fleet managers already rely on carry over with zero disruption to existing workflows.
• Flexible, Reliable Fueling — Drivers aren’t dependent on an app or data connection at the pump itself. Physical cards and cardless codes can be used interchangeably, with limits shared across both.

Where can I find truck stops with cardless payments?

WEX OTR cardless is live now at Pilot, One9, Love’s, TA, Petro Stopping Centers, TA Express, and Maverik. Other networks are rolling out through 2026. Additionally, cardless payment functionally is available via the WEX application programming interface (API). This will allos customers to embed in their apps and maintain their unique driver experience. The capability is available to WEX OTR customers at no additional cost. It can be enabled by contacting a WEX account manager.

As Crumpton shares, “There are different ways the industry can move from using physical cards to a cardless experience. The priority is to bring a consistent solution that’s easy to use. It should also work the same way using a physical card does, and provide the same security, data capture, and reporting behind it.”

How will the transition from fuel cards to cardless payments happen?

The transition from card to cardless payments is relatively simple when you’re considering the technology required. Other factors like customer education and building trust are more complicated. The best path forward might involve a dual approach. This would allow customers to provide both card and cardless options for their drivers. As Crumpton sees it, the shift to cardless is just another opportunity for WEX to collaborate with its clients. “In WEX’s relationship model, we are continuously talking with our customers to understand what they need. This new cardless technology brings with it only a positive impact for customers. There’s no added cost, and it will help the trucking industry as a whole.” Cardless fueling is faster, easier, and more fraud-resistant.

What is the 10-4 by WEX app, and how does it help owner-operators?

The 10-4 by WEX^® app is a WEX product custom-built for smaller carriers, owner-operators, and independent drivers. The program is built for drivers who don’t have a fuel card. Additionally, they are also not part of a company that has a fuel card program. 10-4 by WEX only accepts consumer credit or debit cards.

Traditionally, many drivers operate as subcontractors for larger carriers, freight brokers, and dispatchers. In short, these larger entities direct smaller organizations (such as owner-operators) to routes where they can pick up business. The 10-4 by WEX app groups the smaller entities together and provides them with a group discount. “It’s as if WEX took the small trucking businesses and formed one big company with all of them. With volume comes better discounts. So, with the 10-4 app, when all these small enterprises form one community, they can take advantage of those discounts. These are discounts typically only afforded to larger carriers.”

The collaboration between WEX and the U.S. OTR fuel merchants makes the 10-4 by WEX app work. For independent owner-operators, fueling at their convenience and accruing discounts makes the 10-4 by WEX app an ideal tool to add to their toolkit.

Why does collaboration matter in the fight against trucking fraud?

Matt Crumpton, a leader in the trucking industry for thirty years, brings an invaluable breadth of knowledge and wisdom to his work. “In our industry, we are competing against other companies. But what’s unique about the trucking industry is in many ways we also collaborate. A great example of this is how we all come together to collaborate. This helps us overcome the fraud issues we’re facing today.”

Crumpton went on to describe how this shows that the trucking industry sees the importance and value of working together. This is for the benefit of the driver. “It doesn’t matter what the name of the company is, if I have a problem, whether in my terminal or over the road, there’s a 98% chance that my competitors and other transportation professionals have the same problem. If fraud is my enemy and my competitor’s enemy, let’s work together to beat it.” Crumpton stresses the importance of merchants, partners, and customers working together to keep the industry moving and profitable. 

WEX hosted its annual OTR summit in October of 2025, featuring a round table discussion on fraud. At it,WEX’s VP, Global Fraud & Financial Crimes, William Fitzgerald, spoke to OTR industry executives. He described what WEX is seeing, doing, actions to take, and what technology to implement to help protect against fraud. These kinds of collaborative discussions across industry sectors will drive positive change in the industry. The more leaders across trucking collaborate, the better situated the industry will be as a whole.

Choosing an OTR fuel card partner: Key takeaways

The trucking industry is going through a period of transformation. Driver retention, fuel price volatility, evolving regulations, new technology, and increasingly sophisticated fraud are all converging. OTR leaders do not have the luxury of addressing these challenges one at a time.

A fuel card is not just a payment tool, it is a strategic asset. The right fuel card partner gives fleet operators access to detailed information about every transaction. They should also provide a consistent and frictionless experience for drivers from the home terminal to the truck stop. Most importantly, you should get a robust fraud protection backed by real technology and real expertise from your provider. For smaller carriers and owner-operators, solutions like the 10-4 by WEX app level the playing field. They do this by extending the buying power of a large fleet to independent operators who need it most.

Matt Crumpton emphasizes that the trucking industry’s greatest strength is its willingness to work together, competitors and non-competitors alike. Fraud does not discriminate by company size or brand. The shared challenges facing carriers, merchants, and partners are best solved through collaboration, open dialogue, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

WEX is built for exactly this kind of partnership. With over four decades of experience in the mobility space, an expanding network, and a product suite now including cardless transactions, WEX is equipped to grow alongside the carriers it serves.

The road ahead calls for smarter tools and stronger relationships. It also calls for a fuel card provider that treats your business like its own. That is what WEX delivers.

WEX is a leading, global fintech solutions provider, simplifying payments and back-end business processes in the fleet management, benefits management, and corporate payments areas. To learn more, please visit the company’s About WEX page.

Related OTR resources

Learn more on how to better manage your over-the-road operations:

• Fuel card FAQs
• Fraud prevention
• Safety tips
• Tax prep

All fleet cards are not the same. Different types of fuel cards suit the needs of different kinds and sizes of businesses. View WEX’s fleet card comparison chart to see which fleet fuel card is right for you.

Apply for a fleet card today!

Copyright ©2026 WEX Inc. All rights reserved. The information in this document is subject to change without notice.

Sources:
Commercial Carrier Journal
U.S. Department of Labor
National Immigration Forum