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UPDATE on Montreal group using false identities to steal loads
As a follow-up to our most recent Crime Alert that went out involving the group out of Montreal stealing loads using false identities, a Markel customer recently thwarted their theft attempt, and is kindly sharing the new information he gathered regarding the identities they are using.
After posting a couple of loads on Load Link, Darren Clowes of A.N.K. Transport in Nova Scotia was contacted by an individual who identified himself as “Steve” from M.E.I. Trucking out of Montreal. He provided a phone number of 888-696-2613, and a fax number of 888- 533- 3947. Steve also advised the insured that if he wasn’t available, he could contact “Michael” at the same number and fax.
After getting off the phone with “Steve”, Mr. Clowes looked up the phone number for M.E.I.—a reputable company operating out of Montreal—and contacted the company, advising them of the conversation he just had. The representative at M.E.I. informed Mr. Clowes that neither of these parties had anything to do with their company.
By taking the simple step of verifying the phone number through a third party (Internet, phonebook) and making one phone call, Mr. Clowes was able to thwart the attempted theft of his load and save himself the financial and reputational cost of losing the load.
Load Link has now put a posting on their site advising carriers of the potential fraud, as well as confirming M.E.I.’s correct information.
Always remember to thoroughly screen any carriers before unknowingly giving up a load to any suspects.
Sincerely,
Will Mandau
Vice President, Claims
Markel Insurance Company of Canada
As a follow-up to our most recent Crime Alert that went out involving the group out of Montreal stealing loads using false identities, a Markel customer recently thwarted their theft attempt, and is kindly sharing the new information he gathered regarding the identities they are using.
After posting a couple of loads on Load Link, Darren Clowes of A.N.K. Transport in Nova Scotia was contacted by an individual who identified himself as “Steve” from M.E.I. Trucking out of Montreal. He provided a phone number of 888-696-2613, and a fax number of 888- 533- 3947. Steve also advised the insured that if he wasn’t available, he could contact “Michael” at the same number and fax.
After getting off the phone with “Steve”, Mr. Clowes looked up the phone number for M.E.I.—a reputable company operating out of Montreal—and contacted the company, advising them of the conversation he just had. The representative at M.E.I. informed Mr. Clowes that neither of these parties had anything to do with their company.
By taking the simple step of verifying the phone number through a third party (Internet, phonebook) and making one phone call, Mr. Clowes was able to thwart the attempted theft of his load and save himself the financial and reputational cost of losing the load.
Load Link has now put a posting on their site advising carriers of the potential fraud, as well as confirming M.E.I.’s correct information.
Always remember to thoroughly screen any carriers before unknowingly giving up a load to any suspects.
Sincerely,
Will Mandau
Vice President, Claims
Markel Insurance Company of Canada