“This is a sophisticated enterprise that spoofs email addresses of employees of well known corporations,” says Mary O’Sullivan-Andersen, President and CEO of BBB Serving Alberta and East Kootenay. “The scammers create fake email and even fake websites impersonating employees from legitimate corporations. They then order large quantities of products that are delivered to third-party warehouses from where the material is shipped to locations often located out of the country. One Edmonton business is known to be out more than $50,000 worth of products.
She adds, “These are criminals targeting unsuspecting employees. Train your staff to recognize the signs of impersonation fraud.”
Protecting Your Business from impersonation fraud:
- Verify customer information using contact information that is validated
- With new customers carry out detailed background checks including banking information
- Use extra caution when an urgent or rush order is requested
- Confirm shipping addresses and deal with known contacts at the vendor
- Train staff to recognize the signs of impersonation fraud including how to spot fake email addresses and websites
- Report suspicious activity to the police using the non-emergency line and to the BBB at BBB.org.