It’s not very difficult to create a replicated website from a actual suppliers website. With a sophisticated arsenal of online tools available it’s becoming easier by the day.

Signs that a website is has been hijacked.

• The most obvious is a browser warning that you may access potentially harmful site.
• Website address and email domain is not the same.
• Random redirects to other websites or content.

Scammers frequently trick people by creating fake websites that look almost identical to the official one.

This technique, known as website spoofing or typosquatting, often relies on subtle changes to the web address (the domain name).

How to Spot the Scam:

• Look closely at the domain address in your browser’s address bar.

• The scammers will often add a tiny element, like a hyphen (-), an extra letter, or a slightly misspelled word, to fool you into thinking you’ve reached the legitimate business.

• Example: If the real domain is officialcompany.com, the fake site might use official-company.com or officiaicompany.com(using an ‘i’ instead of an ‘l’).

Always double-check the URL before logging in or entering payment information. The smallest difference means you are on a fraudulent site designed to steal your data.

🔎 Researching Reported Complaints

Do not assume a site is legitimate just because it has been operational for a while or is being advertised. Long-running sites can still be scams, and paid advertisements can promote fraud.

Your personal research is your best defense. Taking a few moments to search online will pay off immensely and protect your assets.

Actionable Research Steps:

• Search for Reviews and Warnings: Use search engines to look up the company name along with terms like:

  • "[Company Name] scam"

  • "[Company Name] fraud"

  • "[Company Name] review"

• Check Regulatory Filings: Verify if the company is properly registered and licensed with relevant trade authorities.

• Trust Your Instincts: The oldest rule in fraud prevention still applies: If an offer seems too good to be true, it almost certainly is. Be highly skeptical of deals that promise significantly lower prices or quicker service than the market standard.

💰 Massive Discounts: Don’t Fall for the Lure

While everyone loves a bargain, massive, unrealistic discounts are a frequent tactic used by container fraudsters. Distinguishing between a genuine special and a scam is vital—it can save you far more than any sale.

Protect Yourself:

Use our Pricing Guides to quickly verify if an advertised price is legitimate. These guides provide the relevant, current market range for popular container conversions and services.

If a price falls far below our guides, proceed with extreme caution.

🔒 Payments & Deposits: Essential Security Checks

Never proceed with a transaction if a company cannot provide the necessary documentation to verify its legitimacy. Before you transfer any hard-earned money, always request and verify the following documents—this is standard business practice for legitimate companies:

Required Verification Documents:

• Bank Details Confirmation Letter: This letter, issued by the company’s bank, must confirm that the account details exactly match the details listed on the invoice and quotation.

• Formalized Quotations and Invoices: These documents must look professional, be sequentially numbered, and include complete company contact information.

• Company VAT Registration Number: This number should be provided and can often be checked against the country’s official tax registry.

• Letter of Good Standing (VAT/Tax): This confirms the company is compliant with its tax obligations.

Best Practice for Large Purchases:

Whenever possible, visit the facility or depot before making a large purchase. This step ensures you are dealing with a physical business and not just a fraudulent online storefront. While time is valuable, this simple visit offers the highest level of assurance for a significant investment.

Important Tip:

• Be mindful that legitimate companies have their own fraud-prevention policies and may not want to expose allproprietary information. However, some form of clear, official company identification will always be provided.

• Always use our Pricing Guides to ensure the amount you are being asked to pay is not wildly out of line with market rates—a key indicator of a potential scam.

🧐 View the Goods: Always Inspect

Fraudsters exploit the fact that empty containers are often sold directly from major depots (Cash On Delivery/COD) to save on transport costs. Inspecting the goods before payment is non-negotiable for safety and verification.

The Two Inspection Imperatives:

1. Demand an ISO Container Inspection: For empty container sales, arranging an inspection at the depot is essential before the COD payment is made. If the seller refuses or makes excuses, treat this as a major red flag.

2. Verify the Company Address: If a container inspection at the depot cannot be arranged (which is rare for a legitimate sale), you must insist on meeting at the company’s official business address to complete the transaction.

Why this is crucial:

By attempting to meet in person, you force the seller to prove they operate a physical business, not just a fake online front. You are more likely to end up at a non-existent or fake address than to lose your money, as scammers will quickly back out when faced with a physical meeting. Never finalize a large transaction solely via email or phone calls.