Episode 224: Fleet Fraud Is Getting Smarter (Here’s How Fleets Fight Back)

Fleet fraud is evolving faster than most organizations can keep up. In this episode of the Fleet Success Show, Josh Turley sits down with Wil Fitzgerald, fraud and financial crimes leader at WEX, to break down how modern fraud schemes target fleet operations, and what fleet leaders can do to protect their organizations. From AI-generated documents and deepfake scams to fuel card misuse and account takeover attacks, fraudsters are getting smarter, faster, and better funded. That means fleets need better controls, better visibility, and better operational discipline to stay ahead. Josh and Wil discuss: • Why fraud is an adversarial game between organizations and criminals • How AI is making fraud harder to detect • The biggest fleet-specific fraud risks (fuel cards, account takeover, mobile apps) • Why open-loop vs closed-loop payments matter for fraud prevention • The simple controls fleet managers should implement immediately • Real-world fraud stories that cost companies millions of dollars If you manage fleet budgets, fuel programs, or operational risk, this episode will help you understand where fraud actually happens, and how to stop it before it escalates. Key Takeaways 1. Fraudsters are highly motivated and well funded Every successful fraud attack funds the next one, which means organizations must continuously evolve their defenses. 2. AI has changed the fraud landscape Fraudsters can now create realistic fake documents, websites, and phishing campaigns in minutes. 3. Account takeover is one of the biggest fleet risks Compromised credentials, stored payment cards, and weak security practices create easy entry points. 4. Closed-loop systems reduce fraud exposure When fleets control where and how cards can be used, they dramatically reduce misuse. 5. Simple operational controls prevent most fraud Daily transaction monitoring, strong PIN policies, and employee training stop many attacks early.   Speaker Bios Josh Turley — Host, Fleet Success Show | CEO, RTA Josh Turley is the CEO of RTA: The Fleet Success Company and host of the Fleet Success Show podcast. With over two decades of experience in fleet operations and technology, Josh helps fleet leaders improve performance, reduce operational blind spots, and lead with confidence. Through RTA Fleet360, consulting, and educational resources, Josh and the RTA team support public sector and enterprise fleets in building safer, more reliable operations. Wil Fitzgerald — Fraud & Financial Crimes Leader, WEX Wil Fitzgerald leads fraud and financial crimes strategy at WEX, overseeing teams responsible for detecting, preventing, and responding to fraud across payment platforms. With a career focused almost entirely on fraud prevention, Wil specializes in identifying emerging fraud threats and developing systems to combat them. His work spans fraud strategy, compliance, regulatory requirements, and advanced fraud detection technologies. Looking to take the next step to fleet success? Start by requesting your free copy of The Fleet Success Playbook. Written by fleet professionals for fleet professionals, the Playbook breaks down the four key pillars of fleet success, and gives you the tools you need to build a truly great fleet. Request your free (yes, really, free!) copy here: https://rtafleet.com/resources/fleet-success-playbook?utm_source=simplecast&utm_medium=footer_notes&utm_campaign=episode_213 Control fleet chaos with RTA Fleet360, proven software designed by fleet managers for fleet managers: https://rtafleet.com/book-a-demo?utm_source=simplecast&utm_medium=footer_notes&utm_campaign=episode_213