A NORTH-EAST transport business is warning firms to stay alert after fraudsters duped its customers in an online scam.

Nicholson’s Transport fell victim to an elaborate phishing con where identity details were taken from its website to create fake letters.

The criminals then contacted Nicholson’s customers to say the firm’s banking details had changed and to send payments to an alternative fraudulent account.

In all, six customers fell victim to the scam but are all in the process of reclaiming their payments.

Melanie Taylor, the commercial manager at Nicholson’s Transport, which is based in Billingham, said: “This was a clever phishing scam which we were completely unaware of until some of our customers advised they had made payments that we had not received.

“It soon became clear that we had become the victim of a fraud and contacted the police who were able to offer valuable advice. It’s a tough lesson to learn but just goes to show how determined and capable cyber criminals can be.”

The fraudsters used photographs, logos, names and address details from the Nicholson’s Transport website to create official looking documents. They then contacted customers whose name appeared on the website to send them fake ‘new’ payment details.

Once the police were alerted, officers were quickly able to trace the bank account to an address in London and the matter is being investigated by the Metropolitan Police.

Meanwhile, Nicholson’s Transport contacted its affected customers to explain they had become the victim of a scam.

Ms Taylor added: “Fortunately, our customers were very understanding and sympathetic as they all realised this is something that any business could be targeted by with many having their own personal story to recount.

“As a result, we have become more guarded about the information on our website and have contacted all of our customers to let them know that our banking details have not changed.

“The lesson for any business is to be much more aware of how your information may be being used and certainly not to accept a change in bank details without being absolutely certain that it is legitimate.”