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I think that's (one reason) why a lot of North American stations are attended. You drive up, hand your card to the attendant and say you want however many gallons (or $ worth). He deals with the payment and the fuel delivery, and hands your card back if it passed.
Of course, even that is not entirely secure, but it must certainly help.
In Britain (and much of Europe), the usual pattern is completely different. You drive up, pump the fuel yourself (I think the pump nearly always turns itself on, with no "authorisation"), then you go up to the kiosk to pay. You're allowed to drive clear of the pump before paying, so the next driver can start filling, just not off the premises.
Drive-offs do happen on this system as well, but that's what CCTV is for.
Of course, there are automatic pumps over here as well, where you put your card in to turn the pump on. Convenient if you have a credit card and are in a hurry, and I assume it involves fewer fraud losses for the station.
Of course, even that is not entirely secure, but it must certainly help.
In Britain (and much of Europe), the usual pattern is completely different. You drive up, pump the fuel yourself (I think the pump nearly always turns itself on, with no "authorisation"), then you go up to the kiosk to pay. You're allowed to drive clear of the pump before paying, so the next driver can start filling, just not off the premises.
Drive-offs do happen on this system as well, but that's what CCTV is for.
Of course, there are automatic pumps over here as well, where you put your card in to turn the pump on. Convenient if you have a credit card and are in a hurry, and I assume it involves fewer fraud losses for the station.
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