Fraud protection with WEX
With 42+ years of experience in the fleet industry, WEX has your back and we’re here for the long haul
One way economic downturns can impact business norms is with increases in fraud, and preventing fraud is about having the right systems in place in advance of an attack. A fleet card program that gives you visibility, control, and built-in fraud protection can be an effective way to avoid fraudster threats to your business.
That’s why it’s good you came to the right place. With WEX, you get:
- Built-in fraud controls | Purchase limits: Help catch suspicious transactions before they impact your bottom line
- Detailed, line-item transaction data (Level III): See what was purchased, by whom, and where
- Real-time alerts | Customizable reporting: Stay informed and in control
- A closed-loop fuel network: Limit exposure and manage risk more effectively
- Support and guidance: WEX has been around for 40+ years – our team knows your business and what you need
Our goal is to help you understand fraud and better protect your business against fraud. By providing you with a guide to safer, smarter operations we feel confident you’ll see results and build a more secure future for your business.
Learn here how fraud happens on the road and in the office—and how to build controls that help keep your fleet protected and profitable.
Business security starts with strong fraud protection
Partnering with your payments provider on how to build a more secure business can be an effective way to help reduce your organization’s exposure to fraud. Together, you can build a secure ecosystem that helps protect every transaction — from when a card is first issued, all the way to reconciliation. Here are some ways you can start building for a more secure future:
“WEX gives us the ability to quickly identify trends and patterns and eliminate the extra risk of theft. Driver mentality has changed from, ‘They will never miss a few gallons here or there.’ or, ‘That’s just one of the perks of the job.’ to, ‘I better not steal any fuel because (Johnny) was terminated for using the fuel card for his personal vehicle.”
– Steve Doss
How to identify different types of fraud
How to Spot a Fake Link or Website
- Inspect the Domain Name: Look for subtle misspellings or swapped letters. For example, a scammer might use wexnic.com or vvexinc.com to mimic the real wexinc.com. If the URL is off, close the tab immediately.
- Verify Links Before Clicking: Hover your cursor over links in emails to see the actual destination. Do not click if the URL doesn’t match the display text or if it uses an obscure shortened link.
- Research the Site’s Reputation: Search for the website name alongside keywords like “scam” or “reviews” to see if other users have reported issues.
- Use Verification Tools: Run suspicious URLs through a fake website checker, such as Google’s Safe Browsing tool, to confirm if the site is flagged as malicious.=
What is Phishing?
Since AI has grown easier to use, businesses have experienced increasingly sophisticated phishing attacks through emails, texts, and phone calls. Since the fourth quarter of 2022 when ChatGPT launched, there’s been a 1,265% increase in malicious phishing attacks. These attacks are often for the purposes of obtaining a victim’s online account credentials.
Train your staff to be on the alert. When they receive an email, a text, or a call that seems unusual, train them to take some time and ask some questions before responding to it.
It’s as simple as that.
WEX will never send unsolicited emails asking for your account number, card number, PIN, or other sensitive information.
“The constant fraud monitoring that WEX does on behalf of our clients is really critical.”
– Steve Jastrow, Vice President of Strategic Advisory and Client Analytics, Element
Identifying fraudulent emails
Here are some tricks to help you and your team identify when an email is not to be trusted. Use this list as a guide for what to look out for:
Deceptive link
Beware of links appearing safe but redirecting to fraudulent sites. Hover over links to check the actual destination.
Poor grammar
Grammatical errors and excessive exclamation points can be a sign of fraud. Keep an eye out for incorrectly spelled words or altered website links.
Sense of urgency
Alarming messages demanding immediate action should give you and your team pause. These often contain timers or countdowns.
Unexpected requests
Requests for money, financial information, usernames, passwords or personal details are all red flags that there could be fraud happening.
Communication gaps
When no alternative ways to contact the source are provided, such as chat, email, phone, fax, or social media.
Design flaws
Distorted or irregularly sized logos can be a sign that something is amiss.
View message source
To search for email properties, you can typically right-click the email and select “View Message Source” or “Properties” depending on your email client. Specific instructions are easily located online.
Beware of Urgent Requests by email or phone
If you receive an urgent request by email or phone you should independently confirm the validity of the request via a known channel (via an email address or phone number that you usually use to communicate with this person). Be alert to any urgent requests received for payment or sensitive information (like personal information or bank account information) – especially when the request includes a threat. Don’t rely on contact information provided in a communication – especially if it is unusual.
You can independently confirm the validity of a request through the following channels:
Slow Down! Fraudsters rely on creating panic by falsely injecting urgency into your day. Be wary of any communication that implies you must take action immediately. Take the time to review messages like this. Then, before taking action, review it a second time.
Best practices – How to avoid a scam
Below we provide straightforward guidelines for how you and your team can avoid any scams fraudsters might have planned.
Be skeptical
Always be cautious when receiving unexpected emails, calls or messages. Scammers can spoof caller IDs or email addresses to make them appear legitimate, so avoid sharing personal information, account numbers, card numbers, usernames, passwords, or one-time codes.
Monitor your accounts
Regularly check your online activity, card and purchase activity along with regularly reviewing your statements for unusual activity. Always review who has access to your account and purchasing methods.
Secure your email account
Your email address is used for communication and identity verification, making it a target for cybercriminals. Protect your email by monitoring for unauthorized access, taking corrective action, and practicing good security.
Don’t click on unknown links
Avoid clicking on links in unsolicited emails or texts. If the message seems unusual, and claims to be from WEX, contact us directly using a verified number to confirm its legitimacy.
Fool me once…
If you have clicked on a malicious link, don’t get fooled by it again – Delete and Block It so you don’t interact with it later by accident.
Search engines can be wrong!
Fraudsters boost fake sites in search results by exploiting ranking systems.
Don’t click quick! Open a new browser window and access the legitimate website directly.
Use strong, unique passwords
Create long passwords with a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols.
Never reuse passwords across accounts—use a password manager if needed.
Avoid common PIN numbers
Secure devices and networks
Keep software, browsers, and antivirus tools updated. Use secure Wi-Fi—avoid logging into accounts on public networks.Use multifactor authentication (MFA) to secure your business and personal accounts, and communication devices.
Protect personal info
Don’t share Social Security numbers, account info, or passwords.
Shred documents containing sensitive details before disposal.
Turning loss into profit
When it comes to fighting fraud, you don’t just need a product — you need a true partner. WEX doesn’t just hand you the tools, we stand beside you with the expertise, insights, and data intelligence to help outsmart fraud at every turn. It’s a partnership built on trust, proven by experience, and designed to keep your business moving with fewer disruptions and more control.
Because we’ve been in the business for over 40 years and we have long-standing relationships with thousands of businesses just like yours, we have a more comprehensive answer to fraud protection. Let us help you keep those fraudsters away and keep your business healthy and moving.
“What I love about working with WEX is security. WEX helps us by monitoring the activities on the cards to watch for any fraudulent spending.”
– Lori Townsend Accounting VP, Smart Autocare