The NWA has received reports from members of scammers impersonating legitimate produce buyers and attempting to pick up loads of watermelons without payment. These scammers may use the names of real companies with good credit, making these schemes difficult to identify.
When dealing with a new or unfamiliar buyer, please keep the following points in mind:
• Verify the buyer independently. Check PACA and credit information, and call the company using a phone number from a trusted source—not one provided by the buyer.
• Check the details. Look closely for altered email domains, unusual contact information, delivery locations or ordering patterns that don’t fit the company.
• Start cautiously. Consider prepayment or shorter payment terms, and independently confirm with the company’s accounting department after the first shipment.
Taking a few extra minutes to verify can prevent significant losses. Please share this warning with your sales and shipping teams.