Distributor sounds alarm following three failed fraud attempts

Target Components boss warns partners after rebuffing multiple fraud attempts

Target Components has warned partners to remain vigilant after thwarting a number of fraud attempts last week.

In an email sent to partners, Target managing director Paul Cubbage said the firm had been contacted on two occasions by imposters claiming to be from a well-known distributor and reseller, both of which are Target customers.

Separately, a fellow distributor was also contacted by someone falsely claiming to be a Target employee.

Cubbage said: "In the last week alone we have seen three fraud attempts that are most likely from the same person or group and follow a similar pattern.

"It seems clear that there is a person or group currently working their way through IT businesses, possibly through a list or online directory.

"Be very wary. These approaches are relatively sophisticated and may appear at face value to be genuine, [for example] they typically use spoof email addresses that are very similar to genuine ones."

Cubbage said that on the two occasions Target received fraudulent calls the perpetrator wanted the firm to send orders to two London addresses: Lewisham Road SE13 7QR and Lewisham Way SE4 1XF.

The MD said the distributor has also received a spate of fraudulent account applications from people falsely claiming to work for reputable IT firms.