Preventing fraud

Protect yourself and your business from scams & fraud

At DLL we are aware of ongoing scam attempts involving emails, text messages, and unsolicited phone calls from individuals falsely claiming to represent DLL. These scammers may request payments, promote fraudulent investments, or offer deals that appear unusually attractive.

Your safety is our priority. Stay vigilant and learn how to recognise suspicious behaviour by reviewing our Fraud Prevention resources below. 

Why preventing fraud in asset finance matters

Preventing fraud in asset finance is essential to protecting customers, partners, and the wider financial ecosystem. Because asset finance involves high‑value equipment, structured contracts, and complex third‑party interactions, it is an attractive target for criminals. Strong fraud prevention safeguards financial stability, operational resilience, and customer trust. 

Protecting customers and partners 

Fraud harms not only the finance provider but also innocent businesses and individuals who may unknowingly be drawn into criminal activity. Effective controls help protect customers from scams and shield partners from financial and operational disruption. 

Protecting financial losses 

Fraud, including inflated asset values, false identities, manipulated documents, or misdirected payments can lead to substantial monetary losses. Once funds are released, recovery can be difficult or impossible, making prevention far more effective than response. 

Maintaining trust and reputation 

Asset finance depends on long‑term relationships with suppliers, brokers, customers, and funding partners. Even a single fraud incident can damage confidence, weaken partnerships, or undermine a company’s reputation in the market. 

Ensuring regulatory compliance 

Legislation such as the Economic Crime & Corporate Transparency Act 2023 introduces criminal liability for large organisations for failing to have reasonable fraud prevention procedures in place if a fraud that benefits (or is intended to benefit) the organisation or its clients is committed by the organisation or its associates. Organisations must demonstrate active fraud‑risk management to avoid legal, financial, and reputational consequences. 

Supporting business growth and stability 

A strong anti‑fraud environment gives funders greater confidence to support more transactions, more quickly. When risk is well managed, finance can flow efficiently and sustainably throughout the supply chain. 

Reducing operational disruption 
Fraud investigations require significant internal resources, including compliance checks, legal involvement, and customer support. Prevention reduces operational burden, allowing teams to focus on service quality and growth. 

  • The Failure to Prevent Fraud offence, introduced under the Economic Crime & Corporate Transparency Act 2023 and effective from 1 September 2025, places legal responsibility on large organisations, such as DLL, to actively prevent fraud that benefits (or is intended to benefit) the organisation or its clients committed by the organisation or its associates. The law applies even if senior leadership is unaware of the misconduct, making strong fraud‑prevention procedures essential. 

    Fraud may occur through dishonest sales practices, false representation, misleading financial statements, fraudulent trading, or aiding and abetting others. Organisations must be able to show they have reasonable, embedded anti-fraud controls, including staff training, four‑eye checks, risk assessments, due diligence, monitoring and review and whistleblowing channels, to defend against prosecution. 

    Preventing fraud helps protect your organisation from severe legal, financial, and reputational consequences while safeguarding partners, customers, and the wider sector. Staying alert to red flags and reporting concerns promptly is critical. 

    Read further: A guide to the Failure to Prevent Fraud offence

  • Cyber-attacks are a major risk for businesses of all sizes, with a significant proportion of UK organisations reporting a breach each year. Effective cyber‑security measures help protect sensitive data, financial assets, and operations from threats such as phishing, malware, business email compromise, and account takeovers. 

    Criminals often exploit urgency, impersonation, and compromised accounts to deceive employees. Simple actions, such as checking email details, verifying links, avoiding unknown attachments, and following internal security procedures, dramatically reduce risk. 

    Strong cyber hygiene preserves customer trust, helps protect your digital environment, and reduces operational disruption. 

    Read further: A guide to cyber-attacks

  • Fraud in asset finance often begins long before a deal is signed, making early detection essential. Criminals may use tactics such as identity theft, company hijacking, forged documents, asset misrepresentation, or unusual delivery patterns. 

    Recognising red flags early, such as inconsistent applications, unclear ownership details, urgent requests, reluctance to verify identity, or suspicious delivery locations, helps prevent financial loss and operational disruption. 

    Effective fraud prevention relies on robust processes, technology‑driven verification, and strong collaboration between funders, suppliers, brokers, and dealers. 

    Read further: Common frauds and key red flags in asset finance. 

Staying alert to these warning signs supports better decision‑making and helps prevent losses across the asset finance ecosystem. 

Further information 

There are several additional sources where you can find out more about fraud, how to spot and prevent it. 

How to Report Concerns 

If you believe you’ve been targeted by fraud or received a suspicious communication, act immediately: 

General Fraud Reporting

  • Your Local Police Force or UK Report Fraud Open 24 hours 
    Tel: 0300 123 2040 
    Website: https://www.reportfraud.police.uk
  • Financial Conduct Authority Consumer Helpline 
    Tel: 0800 111 6768

Where DLL Is Concerned 

If the suspicious activity appears to involve DLL, please contact us directly. 

This webpage has been prepared for information purposes only. It is not meant as legal advice. We cannot guarantee that any information provided in this webpage is complete or accurate or fit for your purposes. We recommend that you seek independent advice.