CSP Exclusive
Shell Tackles Gasoline Pump Fraud
Sees a “significant reduction” in skimming from security initiative
By Carole Donoghue CSP Daily News | May 28, 2012HOUSTON — A Counterfeit Skimming Initiative has produced a “significant reduction” in gasoline pump skimmers being placed on equipment at Shell-branded gas stations.
Acknowledging that pump fraud has become a constant battle ground as gasoline prices hit new peaks each year, Shell Oil has been proactive in tackling the issue at the pump through new programs, proprietary anti-fraud tools and closer collaboration with card issuers and law enforcement.
“Organized crime is well financed and highly mobile, so they can move easily between cities when they start feeling the heat in one,” Mike Swillo, U.S. credit-card operations manager for Houston-based Shell, told CSP Daily Newsin an exclusive interview. “It’s like having 10 fingers and 15 pegs: You hit it on the head here and it pops up over there.”