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Be alert! The shipping containers scam is back

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Shipping containers scam

Our Trading Standards team have had reports of the return of a scam aimed at businesses involving the sale of shipping containers.

The typical loss to businesses is just over £3k.

The scam targeted at victims through Facebook Marketplace.

The company provides an invoice which gives their name as a legitimate container company.

Their details can even appear to be registered at Companies House.

The business buying the container is confident that they are dealing with a reputable company.

From what our team have been told, payment is made but then the container is not delivered and all communications channels are dead.

Trading Standards recommend that contact details are independently verified.

They should also verify the existence of a contract with a company using sources other than just Facebook Marketplace.

For more information on how to protect yourself from scams, please visit our scams page by following the button below.

Protect yourself from scams

 

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