Shipping containers are trusted by many for secure storage and transport. Recently, shipping container sellers have become a target for fraudsters. A large number of buyers across the UK have reported buying shipping containers, only never to receive them.
Willbox is increasingly hearing reports of people making payments to what they believe was a verified container seller, then realising the deal was a scam after not receiving delivery or refund. Most experiences involve lodging online enquiries, through Facebook or other marketplace advertisements.
How do shipping container scams work?
These fraudsters rely on this growing demand to attract customers with competitive pricing, reportedly from the biggest names in the shipping container market. Victims report being enticed with unbelievably low prices and further convinced by the supposed provider’s legitimate and established names. Customers only realise they were scammed upon non-delivery of the containers they have purchased.
Below are some tips you should take to reduce the risk of being scammed.
- Check email and website addresses. Willbox staff will only contact you from a willbox.co.uk ending email address.
- Ask to see and inspect the container. Before you buy a shipping container, you should inspect it. Meeting the supplier in person also gives you the opportunity to assess their trustworthiness. At WIllbox we will do our best to arrange viewing of containers and site.
- Willbox will not request payment to be made to any account other than our UK Bank account.
- Think you may be dealing with a scam shipping container business? We’d be happy to provide you some advice, and a real price on a real container. Call us on 0808 5066118 or email sales@willbox.co.uk
Any other email will not be from one of our team. Please contact us from the details on our website and the details below for any further assistance or if you have any queries or concerns –
Crescent Estate
Station Road
Nursling
Southampton
SO16 0YD
About Willbox
WILLBOX, part of the Williams Shipping Group, has over 25 years’ experience in container hire and new and used shipping container sales. We can supply containers to meet any need, including site accommodation, storage, and bespoke containers modified to your requirements, and our consultancy service is here to help you make the best choice.
We deliver nationwide from over 20 depots across the country – contact us now for fast and efficient container services.
