Companies beware of new scam – SAPS

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Lieut Juanita Coetzer, communications officer for the Boksburg North SAPS, says that different modus operandi are used, but sales personnel must note the one most often used by criminals.

“The ‘customers’ request a quote to be faxed to them, and this individual will pretend to be from another legitimate company with an existing credit facility.

“It was also found that the suspects use the ‘ordering company’s’ letterhead to request a quotation, as these very seldom raise any suspicion.”

She adds that the quote will be accepted and goods will be ordered as soon as possible.

According to Lieut Coetzer, the company of the victim will the usually make use of a transport company to make such deliveries.

“Merchandise would then usually be delivered on some street corner, and someone else will then take over the transportation.”

She says that the other method used by the person making the order, is to have the merchandise delivered to the legitimate company, but before the delivery vehicle can reach the destination, it will be redirected to an unknown destination.

After some time, the victim will request payment, only to discover that the real company never placed an order.

“In some cases the suspect will do an electronic funds transfer and the victim will check their bank account and release the goods, only to find out later that a stolen cheque had been deposited into the account.”

Lieut Coetzer is warning businesses to not release the goods unless the funds were cleared at the bank.

“Always confirm an order in writing with an existing client and do not call back on a number provided by the ‘ordering company’, but make telephonic contact with your clients from existing telephone records to verify authenticity of the number and order.

“Inform your courier or transport service provider that goods only be delivered at a legitimate business address of the company who placed the order,” says Lieut Coetzer.