At BLD Connection, we pride ourselves on being more than just a network of support. We believe in building a community that looks out for each other, providing valuable resources and support to ensure the success and safety of our members. One such story that highlights the power of our community comes from wRight Lumber & Millwork in Buffalo, MN.

Preventing Fraud Through Timely Alerts

Scott Enter from wRight Lumber, experienced firsthand the value of being part of BLD Connection. Thanks to a timely fraud alert email sent by our team, Scott was able to avoid a potentially devastating scam that could have cost his business thousands of dollars.

Scott shared his experience in a heartfelt message to our team:

"You need to know how much I appreciate NLA (now BLD Connection)! You know that fraud scam email you sent out? We got hit, but because of the email you guys sent, we avoided making the sale and losing out on 63 bundles of shingles ($2500 value). That more than makes up for the many years of dues, and it's because of the NLA team and their helpful emails and resources!"

A Closer Call Prevented

In a follow-up message to Melanie, another team member, Scott detailed the incident:

"Hi Mel, it was funny. I sent the email to our team yesterday afternoon. This morning, one of my counter sales guys got the call and said it was exactly the script. He told him he would process the order once he got a copy of his credit card and driver's license. He has yet to provide that. Fortunately, this ended well. Thank you again. Scott."

The Alert That Made a Difference

Here is the alert that went out, which played a crucial role in preventing the scam:

June 8, 2023 - Bankcard Fraud Alert

We have received three calls in just the past week from members questioning the legitimacy of large credit card transactions placed over the phone. Be very careful of these. They are most likely fraudulent.

Here’s a typical scenario: The phone rings, and someone orders a large quantity of shingles or plywood. They give their credit card information, which is hand-keyed into the terminal. Rather than having you deliver the goods, they send someone to pick everything up.

When the real cardholder notices the charge, he or she disputes it. Since it is a non-chip read transaction, the sale will be charged back, and your money is gone just as fast as you received it. Even worse, you have no idea where your inventory is.

While it’s hard to turn down a large sale, be very careful of these phone-requested sales. If it’s a large dollar amount and you don’t know the customer, it could very well be fraudulent.

A Community That Cares

Stories like Scott's demonstrate the importance of being part of a supportive and vigilant community like BLD Connection. Our members can count on us to provide timely and crucial information that protects their businesses and enhances their success.

At BLD Connection, we believe in building a community where everyone thrives. Renew your membership by October 1, 2024, and continue to be a part of a network that truly makes a difference.

Membership Renewal Just Around the Corner

Renew your membership by October 1, 2024, and experience the benefits of being connected to a network that looks out for your success. Together, we can build a stronger, more resilient community.

How has being a BLD Connection member benefited you?
Maybe it's s a BLD endorsed service or vendor that saved your business time and/or money. Have you made a connection to another member that provided valuable advice for your business? What's your BLD success story? Email Melanie at melanie@bldconnection.org if you have a success story to share.