The most common tactics aren't technologically sophisticated, and some of the tools used to hack pumps can be found online.
With gas prices in the United States reaching all-time highs in recent months, some people have turned to pump hacking.
Since the price increase in March, at least 22 people have been arrested across the country for either digitally manipulating computers that manage gas pumps or installing homemade devices to discount their fuel.
Gas hackers take advantage of the fact that gas pump equipment in the United States is heavily standardised and relies on a small number of manufacturers, which frequently do not include strong security safeguards. Some hacking tools are also easily available for purchase online.
While there is no formal law enforcement metric to measure the trend, one in every four convenience-store gas station owners reports that fuel thefts have increased since March.
While there is no formal law enforcement metric to measure the trend, one in every four convenience-store gas station owners reports that fuel thefts have increased since March.
Gas theft has existed for nearly as long as gas stations have existed.
However, most American gas stations began requiring customers to prepay for gas only after Hurricane Katrina, when a drastic price increase led to more thefts.
Most gas stations in the United States use pumps made by one of two companies: Wayne Fueling Systems or Gilbarco Veeder-Root. Apart from simply showing up during off-hours and stealing gas in bulk from underground storage tanks, gas hackers primarily use one of two methods, one for each of the two companies, according to Denton.
The first takes advantage of the fact that many Wayne fuel dispensers have a remote control option, making it easy for station owners and fuel inspectors to access them. Those remotes are not controlled.