Fake Suppliers via Phone Calls
Bogus suppliers cold-call businesses with attractive offers, securing deposits or orders by phone for goods and services that are never delivered.
Part of: Fake Supplier Scams
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Fake supplier scams reach businesses by phone as well as online. A cold call offering competitive prices or solving a sourcing need can open a relationship that leads to an upfront payment for goods that never arrive. The live conversation lets the fraudster build rapport and steer the buyer quickly toward a deposit.
Because genuine suppliers do prospect by phone, the approach raises little immediate suspicion. The absence of any verifiable paperwork during a call, combined with persuasive sales pressure, is what the scam relies on to convert interest into payment.
How this scam works on Phone calls
The caller introduces themselves as a supplier of goods or services the business uses, often quoting attractive prices or a limited offer. They may reference the company's industry or needs to appear targeted and credible.
They move toward an order and request a deposit or upfront payment to begin production or arrange delivery, sometimes following up with documents from a disposable email address. The call discourages delay, framing the offer as time-limited.
After payment, the goods do not arrive, deliveries are incomplete, or the supplier becomes unreachable. With no verifiable company behind the call, the buyer is left with a loss and little chance of recovery.
Common red flags
- An unsolicited supplier call offering prices well below the market
- Pressure to commit and pay a deposit during the call
- A limited-time offer used to discourage verification
- A supplier that cannot provide verifiable registration or references
- Follow-up documents from a generic or disposable email address
- Reluctance to allow a callback or independent checks
How to protect yourself
- Do not commit or pay during an unsolicited supplier call
- Verify the company's registration, address, and references independently
- Start with a small order and confirm delivery before larger ones
- Use payment methods that offer some buyer protection where possible
- Be wary of limited-time offers used to pressure you
- Confirm the supplier through an independently found phone number
How to report it
- Report the call to your national consumer protection or fraud body
- File a report with your national cybercrime or fraud centre
- Notify your bank or payment provider to attempt recovery
Frequently asked questions
A supplier called with a great limited-time deal and wants a deposit. Should we take it?
Be cautious. Pressure to pay a deposit during a cold call is a common scam tactic. Do not commit on the call; verify the company through official records and references, and start with a small order before any large payment.