Exporters Urged to Check Customers’ Online, Physical Presence

Exporters should closely examine the internet presence and physical addresses of their potential customers to help them determine whether they are dealing with legitimate businesses, Commerce Department officials said March 27.

A Google Maps search can show whether a company’s address houses a real business -- or is a vacant lot, said the officials, speaking on background under a policy for certain career personnel at the BIS annual update conference. A company that doesn't have a website or that uses a Gmail or Yahoo account instead of a corporate email account may warrant further scrutiny.

“When you’re dealing with new customers …, if they don’t have a web presence and your technology is cool and awesome and expensive, chances are they’re probably not a legitimate company,” one of the officials told an audience of exporters.

If an export transaction moves ahead, inconsistencies in paperwork may be a sign that something is amiss. If a company’s location differs from the address providing payment, that may also be a red flag.

The officials urged exporters that discover red flags to consider bringing them to the attention of the BIS Office of Export Enforcement.