27/05/2025
As more woodworking businesses turn to digital tools to manage daily operations, the risk of cybercrime is becoming a growing concern. From managing stock and customer orders to accounting and ...
BWF members are reminded to stay alert when dealing with potential customers after it emerged that Wiltshire Police were investigating a timber scamming fraud which is targeting construction product suppliers.
The scammer who has already targeted six timber merchants, was using the name of legitimate construction firm MGM Ltd, to open a credit account and order goods. The individual had assumed the identity of MGM Ltd’s Managing Director Brian Young and was using fake telephone numbers and references to try and order timber products despite having no intention of paying for them.
One Wiltshire-based timber merchant confirmed it had lost a small amount of plywood to the scammer, who had also targeted tarmac/cement firms.
Another timber supplier, who came close to supplying an order to the scammer, had revealed that they had opened a credit account after checking out the three references the scammer supplied and MGM Ltd’s details at Companies House. The customer immediately placed an order for timber worth £2,000-3,000. Suspicions were raised by the short notice (only 2 days before delivery), a lack of interest in pricing, and the proposed delivery site, which appeared to be a disused farm. This lead to the timber supplier backing off and asking for more time, at which point the customer then said his contract had been cancelled anyway and disappeared.
The fraud has also been featured in Timber Trades Journal. A spokesperson for Wiltshire police confirmed there is an investigation going on and urged companies who were suspicious to contact them by calling 101, the police non-emergency number.
Credit checking facilities are available for logged-in members through the BWF website, however, this more sophisticated scam is an example of where a simple background check would not be enough. Members are, naturally, asked to remain cautious about opening credit accounts for potential customers.
The news acts as a reminder to stay alert to the possibility of scammers and act on any suspicions that you might have. We occasionally hear from members who have been targeted by ‘mass-mailing scams’ and business directories such as the notorious ‘European City Guide’. Mailing scams work by distributing mass mailings to small businesses, fooling them into signing a deceptive contract and then hitting them with hefty bills and a restrictively short cancellation period. Members are reminded that they should always read the small print, particularly with regards to length of contract, and any cancellation fees. Similar diligence should of course be exercised when leasing office or workshop equipment – if a deal seems to be too good to be true, then it probably is!
