Common trade scams and how to avoid them

Treat warning signs as reasons to check

Trade fraud can appear in an attractive offer, a convincing business profile or an urgent payment message. One warning sign does not always prove fraud, but it should trigger a pause and independent checking before money or goods are committed.

Every ATP buyer and supplier account is reviewed and approved before full access. The exact review checks are [TO CONFIRM]. Approval does not remove transaction risk or guarantee that future messages, documents and offers are genuine.

ATP is a platform only and does not buy, sell, stock, deliver or handle payments between users. The buyer and supplier agree their trade terms directly. The following examples are practical fraud patterns to consider, not claims about incidents on ATP.

The price that cannot be explained

A seller offers goods at a price far below comparable offers, but cannot explain the specification, condition, origin or supply basis. The buyer is urged to pay quickly before the opportunity disappears.

Ask for the exact product and quotation scope. Compare quantities, delivery terms and exclusions before judging price. Check the supplier’s ability to provide the goods and consider an appropriate sample or inspection arrangement. Do not let a discount replace evidence.

A legitimate clearance item may differ from a standard product. What matters is whether the differences and commercial conditions are clearly documented and independently assessable.

The unexpected bank-account change

A message claims that the normal account is unavailable and payment must go to a different beneficiary. It may resemble an existing conversation or use plausible accounting language.

Pause the payment. Independently verify the change using a process established with the genuine business, rather than relying only on the message that introduced it. Check why the beneficiary differs from the contracting entity and consult your bank about concerns.

Keep negotiations inside the portal, where email addresses and phone numbers are hidden. Do not assume that a message is authentic merely because it refers to details of your order.

Fake payment proof and overpayments

A buyer sends a transfer screenshot and asks the supplier to release goods before funds are confirmed. Another variation claims an overpayment and requests a refund to a different account or payment for an unrelated service.

Suppliers should confirm payment through their own bank. Ask how the payment’s status and any reversal risk affect release decisions. Do not ship or refund based solely on an image, notification or promised transfer.

If a genuine payment error occurs, resolve it through the business’s bank and documented instructions. Avoid becoming an intermediary for an unexplained third-party transfer.

Forged certificates and copied identities

An offer includes a certificate, company document or catalogue copied from another business. The name, address, model, validity dates or scope may not match the order.

Verify important documents with the issuer or relevant official source where possible. Check that the document covers the actual legal entity, site and product. A professional-looking PDF is not proof of validity.

Similarly, confirm whether a supplier has the rights and capability it claims. An account profile does not prove exclusive distribution, ownership of a factory or permission to use a brand.

Extra fees and pressure to bypass checks

A party demands a sudden release fee, unexplained clearance charge or payment to a supposedly mandatory agent. It discourages inspection, refuses clear documents or insists that normal procedures must be skipped.

Ask for the basis, recipient and supporting evidence for each charge. Verify it with the relevant provider or authority. Freight and import costs can be legitimate, but unexplained urgency and opaque beneficiaries deserve scrutiny.

What to do if you suspect fraud

Stop the transaction and preserve messages, quotations and payment records. If money has moved, contact your bank promptly and ask about available action. Report suspected criminal activity to the appropriate authorities.

ATP’s reporting route, investigation process and response times are [TO CONFIRM]. Do not assume the portal can recover funds or reverse a direct payment. Its deal stages record discussions, not transaction guarantees.

Next step: Review potential trading businesses carefully in the directory.