Niagara Regional Police are warning about a scam that's targeting local businesses.
Police are calling it "Card Not Present Fraud" and it typically occurs when a business receives a large order for merchandise using a credit card that's later found to be fraudulent or stolen.
Before the card can be identified as a fraud, the merchandise is already picked up by the scammer resulting in the business being responsible for the charge.
Police are saying the scam is most often targeting places that sell home improvement and construction materials.
Local businesses are urged to be cautious and take extra steps to ensure the legitimacy of an order, especially when the buyer's card is not present when an order is placed.