Local consumables distributor Advanced Consumables Technologies (ACT) has called on resellers to help crack down on stock theft of PC consumables.
ACT sales director Gary Pickford says three arrests were made on the company`s premises in January, when individuals allegedly tried to steal stock by posing as a reseller`s representative.
"We suspect there is a syndicate operating in the area which is stealing branded stock and then selling it at a discount to resellers in the market. Through a close relationship with the Midrand community policing forum, we have conducted three sting operations on our property in January and one in November last year."
Pickford says cracking down on theft is not easy as collections are made simply by signing an invoice.
"The order process is generally not formalised which makes things quite difficult. A call is made to our call centre and an order is placed with resellers often requesting stock without an order number. The courier then arrives with a form with the company`s letterhead stating what stock is needed, an invoice is signed and the courier leaves with the stock."
Pickford says it is easy for someone to come in posing as a courier to make a call to the call centre, arrive with a forged order form and make off with the stock. The theft is discovered when the reseller is invoiced 45 to 60 days later.
"The problem is that the culprits are often individuals in resellers who arrive at the distributors claiming they represent another reseller. They then sell the stock for their own gain while the distributor has to write off the debt," he says.
While ACT has had success on cracking down on the fraud, Pickford says he now has to spend days in court for the three cases that are pending from January.
Those convicted of fraud face anything from a suspended sentence to a two-year prison term.
Pickford says distributors need to implement extra measures like ensuring that an order form is faxed from the company to prove it has sent a courier to collect stock. Resellers should also be wary of discounted stock.
"It is time for resellers who support the purchase of stock without checking its source or the reputation of the supplier to understand that they are indirectly supporting crime in this country."
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