WELCOME [ Log In · Register ]        SITE [ Search · Page Index · Recent Changes ]    RSS

Letter of Credit Fraud

There are several types of fraud possible relating to Letters of Credit.  The buyer would be concerned about the beneficiary of a Letter of Credit submitting fraudulent documentation to the issuing bank.  If the documents presented conform to the L/C requirements, the issuing bank may honor the presentation and remit payment to the seller under the L/C. 

The seller as the beneficiary of a Letter of Credit is also subject to the risk of fraud. For example, if the seller receives a counterfeit Letter of Credit and ships against it, they will not receive payment for the goods shipped from the bank that proportedly issued the L/C.  To address this risk, sellers should require that all L/Cs be either Advised or Confirmed.  One of the benefits of Advised or Confirmed L/Cs is that the authenticity of the L/C itself is verified before the L/C will be Advised or Confirmed.

© 2011 by Michael C. Dennis.  All Rights Reserved.  Mr. Dennis is a consultant.  He can be reached by email at  mcdennis13@yahoo.com