Gas and go: gas station owners report more fuel theft

Gas station owners are reporting an increase in fuel theft as motorists drive away without paying for their gas. Market leader SODA recorded a 46 percent rise in these incidents in April compared to the previous year. While some drivers simply forget to pay due to distraction, many incidents appear to be intentional, with station operators suspecting that rising fuel prices are driving the trend. At a Shell station in Amsterdam, staff have already dealt with 67 such cases since the beginning of the year, leading to significant administrative burdens. To combat the issue, some stations are implementing stricter monitoring, such as checking license plates against vehicle types before activating pumps. When theft occurs, owners often use security footage and license plate data to track down drivers through bailiffs. However, the process is time-consuming and complicated, especially when thieves use stolen plates, making it difficult for station owners to recoup their financial losses.