New cases of identity theft scams in the sale of pellets

Recently, at least one Spanish company that produces wood pellets has been the victim of fraud involving brand impersonation, according to the Spanish Association for the Energy Valorization of Biomass (AVEBIOM).

The imposters' modus operandi is always the same: they contact potential buyers, usually distributors, on behalf of these companies to make a sale that ultimately never takes place. The scam against customers occurs when they make an advance payment for a pellet purchase that never actually happens.

The affected companies have already reported the matter to the relevant authorities and have informed AVEBIOM of the facts in order to spread the warning to as many interested professionals as possible.

Recommendations to avoid becoming a victim of fraud

Given the circumstances, sources at AVEBIOM insist on recommending that pellet buyers remain alert to possible scam attempts.

To avoid these types of scams, it is very useful to verify information received from unknown emails, or from a domain that does not correspond to the company it claims to represent, as well as verifying the authenticity of the identity of the people who make contact.

Therefore, and if you have any doubts, it is best to call the official headquarters of the company in question and request confirmation of the information received, and of course, not to make any payment before verifying that the transaction has been carried out with the correct person and company.

AVEBIOM also advises caution with purported sellers about whom the buyer has no prior knowledge and who are the ones taking the initiative by offering pellets at shockingly low prices. In this latest case, a ton of certified wood pellets was offered for eur120, including transport—an unusual price in the market.