Watch out for the Latest email scam
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By Chris Tindall
AUCTION HOUSES and dealers have warned that criminals are targeting their trade by sending out emails asking customers to make payments into new bank accounts.
In a sophisticated scam, FW Harrison Commercials said an email to a Kenyan customer was intercepted and the account details altered before it was forwarded to its destination.
The deception was uncovered before the payment was made, but the industry is being warned to remain alert. "They are clever," said FW Harrison sales manager Jamie Harrison. "You have to be vigilant. Unless I speak to the companies we sell lorries to over the phone, we delete it straight away. We get them from everywhere. I'm not saying we
get a lot a day, but it's probably two or three."
Auctioneer Malcolm Harrison has published a warning on its website, telling customers to delete emails that misspell company names.
Malcolm Harrison operations manager Charlie Foyle said: "Somebody set up an email that looks like one of ours, but with an 'r' missing from Harrison.
"They said our bank details had changed and to transfer money into another bank account.
"Fortunately, it was picked up very quickly and we were able to warn customers.
"We have already reported it to the police."
Charlie Wright, MID at Protruck Auctions, said: "It's definitely something we have got to be watching. Lorries are high value assets, we are talking about big lumps of money."