Import scams: the red flags to know
Import scams almost always follow the same patterns. Recognising them before you pay is the best protection. Here are the signals that should make you slow down.
The most common red flags
- A price well below the market, with no credible explanation.
- Payment requested into a personal account or the account of a company other than the one invoicing.
- Bank details changed by email, often at the last minute.
- Strong pressure to pay quickly: "last stock", "price valid today only".
- Refusal of a visit, a live video call in the factory or a pre-shipment inspection.
- Inconsistent documents: names, addresses or registration numbers that do not match.
- A free email address or a very recent website for a company claiming to be established.
- A middleman who refuses to put you in contact with the manufacturer.
Classic scam patterns
The fake supplier takes the deposit and disappears. Identity theft reuses the name of a real factory with different bank details. Substitution delivers goods of lower quality than the sample. Email hijacking intercepts a genuine conversation to change payment details.
How to protect yourself
- Verify the company and its bank account before any payment.
- Never change bank details without confirmation through another channel.
- Tie every payment to evidence: inspection, shipping documents.
- Have the goods inspected before they leave.
- For large amounts, use a trusted third party to frame the transaction.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell if a supplier is a scam?
Combine checks: legal existence of the company, consistent documents, a bank account in the company's name, a factory visit or video call, a pre-shipment inspection. A refusal on any of these points is a red flag.
What if I have already paid a fake supplier?
Contact your bank immediately to try to stop or recall the transfer, keep all evidence and file a police report. The faster you act, the better your chances.
Does a trusted third party guarantee I will not be scammed?
No intermediary removes all risk. SecureFlow greatly reduces it by verifying partners and framing payments, without being an insurer or financial guarantor.