Retailers of kitchens and bathrooms are being warned about an internet scam that involves a bogus customer ordering goods with stolen credit cards.
The alert comes from the Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association (KBSA), several of whose members have been caught up in the fraud, which appears to have spread throughout the UK.

"All communication is done by email," says KBSA sales and marketing director Ruth Ward. "In most cases the customer claims to be deaf, hence no phone conversations or confirmations. The goods are collected by courier, normally within a couple of hours.

"As far as we're aware the couriers are not involved and are also being paid via the stolen credit cards."

She went on: "We first heard of this last year and reported it to Trading Standards. We thought it was an isolated incident but we've had numerous reports of the same scam over the last week or so."

She said the goods requested are usually stainless steel and of high specification.

KBSA has issued a warning to all its members to beware of orders coming in via the internet or email for specific goods. It advises that all retailers ensure they meet in full their credit card provider's terms and conditions, which should enable them to reclaim any losses between £100 and £30,000.

They should also report any approaches that look like they may be part of this scam to their local Trading Standards office and the police.