Combatting Construction Fraud: Impersonation Scams & "Deep Fakes" with Simon Howell -Tarmac, Jonathan Ward-National Timber Group, Jade Owen-EHSmith and Luke Sculthorpre - CICM

Register for our newsletter for regular updates of events and webinars. https://www.top-service.co.uk/contact-us/ (newsletter link at bottom of page) Fraud is evolving, and the construction industry is a primary target. In this episode of Minimise Debt, Maximise Cash, Top Service CEO Emma Reilly revisits the "At the Coalface" review to tackle the growing threat of fraudulent practices affecting suppliers and credit teams. Moderated by Philip King, this panel discussion features real-world insights from Simon Howell (Tarmac), Jonathan Ward (National Timber Group), Jade Owen (Perry), and Luke Sculthorpe (CICM) on how to spot and stop fraud before goods leave the yard. Key Fraud Tactics Discussed: Long-Firm Fraud:  How criminals set up businesses specifically to build creditworthiness over time before "busting out" with unpaid goods. Corporate Identity Theft (Impersonation):  The rising trend of fraudsters impersonating reputable companies (like Tarmac or EH Smith) to place orders. The "Deep Fake" Threat:  Luke Sculthorpe shares a chilling example of AI-driven deep fake video being used to impersonate a CEO and bypass accounts payable security. The "Juice" Tactic:  Simon Howell explains a specific case where builders' merchants were used as a front for fraudulent material orders, and how vigilance saved £50k. Preventative Strategies: The "Fraud Filter":  How to implement a checklist for new accounts to flag high-risk applications. Due Diligence Checks:  Why contacting the  originating depot  of a suspicious order can instantly verify if a buyer is legitimate. Customer Education:  How credit teams can educate depots and sales staff to spot the "too good to be true" orders. Whether you are a supplier, a builders' merchant, or a credit controller, this episode provides the tools you need to protect your business from sophisticated criminal attacks. Featured Guests: Philip King  (Moderator) Simon Howell  (Tarmac) Jonathan Ward  (National Timber Group) Jade Owen  (Perry) Luke Sculthorpe  (CICM) Keywords: Construction Fraud, Credit Risk, Impersonation Scams, Identity Theft, Deep Fakes, Supply Chain Security, Tarmac, National Timber Group, Top Service. Subscribe to Minimise Debt, Maximise Cash for your monthly construction credit update. To enquire about Top Service services for your Business, go to https://www.top-service.co.uk/contact-us/ Music by Purple PlanetRead transcript