Fraudulent credit card orders have cost 12 heavy-duty trucking and transportation businesses in Saskatchewan their shipped products and payment, with police now investigating a scheme that may extend across Western Canada, according to FreightWaves.
The investigation began in March after Saskatchewan RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) received reports from across the province, FreightWaves reported. Callers placed phone orders for truck tires, engine oil and trailer parts, provided credit card details, and each transaction appeared approved and pending. The businesses then shipped the products by courier before the payment ultimately failed, leaving the merchant without payment.
How the fraud worked
According to FreightWaves, police described a consistent pattern. A customer requests products by telephone and offers a credit card as payment. The merchant sees an approved and pending result before releasing the shipment. The card later declines.
RCMP has not filed charges and has not identified any suspects or disclosed the value of losses, the report said. The agency believes other businesses may have received similar orders and asked victims to report suspicious transactions even without a financial or material loss.
Affected communities and businesses
Targeted companies included automotive suppliers, tire shops and fuel distributors, according to FreightWaves. RCMP named affected locations across Saskatchewan:
| Community | Province |
|---|---|
| Battleford | Saskatchewan |
| Weyburn | Saskatchewan |
| Hudson Bay | Saskatchewan |
| Kindersley | Saskatchewan |
| Biggar | Saskatchewan |
| Assiniboia | Saskatchewan |
| White Butte | Saskatchewan |
| Moosomin | Saskatchewan |
| Cudworth | Saskatchewan |
| Onion Lake | Saskatchewan |
Investigation reaches beyond Saskatchewan
The inquiry now extends beyond provincial borders, according to Saskatchewan RCMP. Authorities identified related incidents throughout Western Canada. Central District General Investigation Section officers are working with police agencies in other jurisdictions, FreightWaves reported.
What businesses should do
RCMP warned that criminals may target companies outside the transportation sector and urged owners to verify callers before processing payment information, according to FreightWaves. Businesses should not rely only on caller ID, and suspicious transactions should not move forward until verification is complete.
Police also cautioned against accepting multiple cards after an initial payment method fails and urged staff to watch for rushed or unusual requests. Businesses that believe they were victimized can contact local police immediately; Saskatchewan residents can call 310-RCMP, and anonymous tips can go to Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers.
A pending credit-card approval does not guarantee payment after a business releases freight, parts or supplies.
Related industry events
FreightWaves also promoted several upcoming industry events in the article: the Brokerage Compliance Symposium (covering fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, and insurance gaps), the F3 Awards Dinner (honoring FreightTech100 companies and revealing FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners), and the F3: Future of Freight Festival, held at The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Watch list
- RCMP investigators believe other businesses may have received similar orders, so additional victim reports could extend the affected list.
- The inquiry reaches beyond Saskatchewan, with related incidents identified throughout Western Canada; further jurisdictions may be drawn in.
- RCMP has not named suspects or disclosed the value of losses; any future charges or loss totals would change the scope.
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