A Public Service Announcement: Why I recommend distributors avoid using WhatsApp for unsolicited business contacts
By Frank Hurtte, River Heights Consulting
Over the past few years, I’ve noticed a troubling pattern – one that many of my clients have experienced as well. It begins innocently enough: a stranger reaches out on LinkedIn, email, or text message. The person claims to represent a new supplier, a potential partner, or someone with an “exciting business opportunity.” The conversation often feels normal – until, after a few exchanges, they suggest, “Let’s switch over to WhatsApp. It’ll make communication easier.”
That’s the moment to stop.
Internet-based scammers and other criminals have discovered distribution as a potentially lucrative target. In a twisted way, we should almost feel honored, our industry has finally been recognized as valuable enough to scam. About five or six years ago, I wrote a series of articles warning distributors about bogus purchase orders and counterfeit buyers; schemes that cost companies thousands in fake shipments and unpaid invoices. Those threats haven’t gone away, but today we face a new and more sophisticated wave of attacks, coming through social media and messaging platforms like WhatsApp.
WhatsApp and the Illusion of Convenience
There’s no question that WhatsApp is convenient. It’s free, fast, and encrypted. But that same encryption (marketed as a privacy feature) also makes it a favorite tool of scammers, data harvesters, and bad actors. Once you move a conversation off a monitored, professional platform like LinkedIn or email, you lose the built-in security and accountability those systems provide.
On LinkedIn, if a message seems suspicious, you can report it. On email, your company filters might flag it. On WhatsApp, none of those safeguards exist. You’re communicating in a private, encrypted space where impersonators and overseas scammers can operate with near-total anonymity.
Why Scammers Want You on WhatsApp
Scammers push conversations to WhatsApp for a few predictable reasons:
- They want privacy from detection. Messaging on WhatsApp shields their activities from LinkedIn or email security systems.
- They can impersonate anyone. WhatsApp accounts can be created using disposable SIM cards or foreign numbers. It’s easy to appear “local” or “legitimate.”
- They build emotional or professional trust. Once on WhatsApp, scammers often begin daily contact—posing as vendors, recruiters, or investors—then pivot to personal questions or financial “opportunities.”
- They exploit encryption. End-to-end encryption protects both you and them. Law enforcement and platform administrators can’t easily investigate what happens inside a private chat.
The Distribution Industry Is a Target
Distributors, especially those in technical or industrial markets, make attractive targets. You’re connected to high-value customers, supplier networks, and often handle sensitive financial transactions. Scammers know this.
They may impersonate:
- Manufacturers offering “exclusive territory deals”
- Job candidates claiming to have niche product experience
- Investors or buyers seeking partnership discussions
- Even existing vendor contacts using spoofed names and logos
Once on WhatsApp, they can send malicious links, request financial transfers, or collect personal details that later fuel identity theft and business email compromise (BEC) attacks.
Professionalism and Protection
Beyond the security risk, there’s also the matter of professionalism. Business communications belong in business channels; email, Teams, or other secure systems that maintain records and accountability.
If someone you don’t know insists on using WhatsApp for “efficiency,” that’s not a convenience – it’s a red flag.
For legitimate vendors or partners, staying on your company’s official channels shouldn’t be a problem. If it is, that tells you something important about the person’s intent.
Practical Guidance for Distributors
Here’s what I recommend to every distributor and sales professional I work with:
- Don’t move conversations off-platform with anyone you don’t personally know or can’t verify.
- Politely decline requests to switch to WhatsApp or similar apps. You might say:“For security reasons, our company keeps new business communications on LinkedIn or email. I hope you understand.”
- Verify identities before sharing company information, product pricing, or customer details.
- Train your teams—inside sales, outside sales, even warehouse staff—on recognizing these scams.
- Report suspicious accounts on LinkedIn or to your IT department.
Final Thoughts
In distribution, we rely on trust – trust in suppliers, customers, and each other. That trust must be earned, not assumed. If a contact insists on using WhatsApp, take it as a signal to slow down, verify, and protect your company’s information.
Technology can make communication easier – but sometimes, it also makes deception easier. Let’s stay connected, but let’s stay smart.
Frank Hurtte speaks, writes and consults with distributors on methods for adding bucks to their bottom line.He can be reached at frank@riverheightsconsulting.com or (563) 514-1104.
INDUSTRIAL SUPPLY MAGAZINE
The November/December issue of Industrial Supply magazine features an in-depth cover story about Applied Industrial Technologies. Plus, we're featuring articles by contributing writers Dr. Bharani Nagarathnam and Frank Hurtte, as well as interviews with numerous product and distribution industry experts.
