Hirers and suppliers warned of scam

2 October 2009

Executive Hire News has learned of a scam that is currently being targeted towards hirers and suppliers.

Bolton-based Seddons (Plant & Engineers) Ltd has alerted us, having been contacted, both directly, and indirectly by a hire company, with a view to supplying a significant value of goods to the facilities and asset management organisation, Mitie Group.

“First there was an application for a credit account, supposedly from Mitie Group plc, Bristol office, naming a pre-construction manager Harry Sharp as the purchasing contact, and a Simon Williams as the accounts contact, both with an 0845 number,” says Seddons’ Sales & Marketing Director, Phil Winnington. “Harry Sharp’s details include a mobile number and the email address harrysharp@mitiegroupplc.co.uk. Harry Sharp indicates that Mitie has just won the Macdonalds contract for maintaining the outside of their premises, and that they need a considerable amount of machines as soon as possible. They also applied for £100,000 credit!

“Whilst a real Harry Sharp and Simon Williams do exist and, indeed, do work for Mitie, their identities are obviously being used without their consent, and the character who has attempted to obtain the goods is clearly working a scam.

“Whilst we are convinced that a direct approach to Seddons has been negated, it could be that another equipment supplier, or hirer, falls foul of this. If the originator of this scam is successful it could result in a severe financial implication for a company within our industry.”

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