7 Tips to Prevent the “Different Bank Account” Scam when you purchase from China

7 Tips to Prevent the “Different Bank Account” Scam

Supplier ManagementMore and more buyers are being scammed into wiring tens — sometimes hundreds — of thousands of dollars to the wrong bank account.

I helped Global Sources prepare an infographic on how to reduce this risk:

PREVENT_DIFFERENT_BANK_ACCOUNT_SCAM_INFOGRAPHIC_A

 

This scam comes mainly in two forms:

  1. A crime organization hacks its way into the supplier’s email system and sends invoices to customers. Tracking the people behind these bank accounts is usually impossible.
  2. A salesperson uses her personal email account for work (as is very common), then quits but doesn’t say it to customers, and asks for payment to another bank account.

There is no silver bullet to avoid this scam, but using a combination of appropriate tactics makes it very unlikely to work.

1. Get to know several English speakers for each supplier

Get their company landline phone numbers (even Skype accounts can be hacked). If something suspicious comes up, you can give a few phone calls and get several people’s versions. This will not only be helpful for payments, but also for other claims (e.g. “the factory got flooded”).

2. Ask each supplier for their bank account information in advance

Your supplier qualification process probably includes asking for a copy of the business license. At the same time, ask for their bank account information. Then, instruct them to mention “See bank account information document” on invoices, rather than using their standard template that includes full banking details.

3. Ask suppliers to fax every invoice to you

If email systems can be hacked, ask for an extra level of safety: have invoices faxed to you, and check whether the sending fax number belongs to the supplier’s company. When it comes to getting paid, Chinese manufacturers and traders usually respect their customers’ instructions.

4. Do a first small wire to pay a sample fee

You will probably need the supplier to prepare samples before you confirm the order. Why not offer to pay for them? You will have a confirmation of the right bank account (“we received the money”), and you can negotiate a refund should you place an order later on.

5. Have a special procedure for confirming the company name

If you have been discussing business with a salesperson using a certain company name, you might receive a pro forma invoice in the name of another company. In that case, ask for a written explanation (with their company chop) to be sent to you by email and fax. Note that paying a Chinese company in mainland China is safer for you. 

6. Have a special procedure for confirming bank account changes

This is very suspicious. Follow the same procedure as point 5, but also call several people in the company. They will understand your attitude if you tell them you are worried about the “different bank account scam” — they are also a victim when it happens to their customers.

7. Pay by Letter of Credit (L/C)

If you are considering a relatively large purchase (over 50,000 USD), then it makes perfect sense to pay by letter of credit. I have never heard of a scam on the supplier’s side involving an L/C. Extra benefit: you don’t need to advance any money to the supplier before production.

 

 

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