Auctions
With more than £50M (source: Home Office) of equipment being stolen annually in the UK alone, criminals converting stolen equipment into cash are known to pass a proportion of it through equipment auctions.
While some auctions will check the equipment for its registered finance status, there is precious little effort being made by auctions to determine whether the equipment which they are selling has been registered as stolen. This means that it is relatively easy for criminals to use equipment auctions as a method of disposal for stolen equipment.
This is an opportunity which criminals have not been slow to miss, and also as one where the auctions are not providing as a good a service to their buying clients as they could be, while allowing themselves to be abused by criminals.
TER often checks used equipment auctions, and has, on many occasions, either identified and recovered stolen equipment from the auction ground itself, or has found that stolen equipment has passed through an auctioneer prior to TER identifying and recovering it. These operations are conducted in conjunction with the police and, if overtly conducted during a sale, can be damaging to the reputation of the auction and disruptive to the sale.
TER’s services for plant and equipment Auctioneers
Equipment identity inspections. In TER’s experience many of the items of equipment entered into auctions have had their original identity interfered with. As the quality of this ‘interference’ can be of a high standard, the equipment identity should be thoroughly investigated with a physical inspection by a TER inspector.
Equipment Registration. Auctioneers can register all equipment and new owners details with TER, for free provided that the TER Check and certificate service has been utilised.
Stolen equipment registration. In the event that an item of equipment is stolen from an auction site, the details can be registered with TER, for free.
TER Checking facilities for Auctions.
TER can check equipment data supplied against the TER database to see if there are any reports of outstanding theft or both theft and finance. The TER Check provides significant added value to the auctioneer’s buying client, while enhancing the auction’s reputation for customer service. Additionally, the auctions will also be playing their part in reducing the opportunities for criminals to convert stolen property into cash, and to reduce the amount of stolen equipment in circulation.
We have created a special checking facility just for auctions which enables you to check items quickly and easily. You can get results instantly and print the TER Check certificate either one at a time or all together. This service allows you to do either a Trade or Premium Check on each item.
What is a Trade and Premium Check?
A TER Trade Check – checks the serial number provided against the TER database for any reports of outstanding theft.
A TER Premium Check – is a TER Trade Check plus an extended search and an HPI Check
How to get started
First set up a TER account then call us on (01225 464599) to activate your account. You will then be able to start checking your auction lots with TER.
Firstly, you name your auction, e.g. April auction, and then you can check your first lot. For a TER Trade Check, you will be asked to enter the make, model, serial number and lot number. If you check an Ifor Williams trailer it will also ask you for the chassis number. For a Premium Check you will be asked to provide the VIN or serial number that you wish to be checked against HPI. When you click on the ‘Add’ button our automated service will check the information. A result will appear instantly and will display one of the following-
A match not found – this means there are no reports of theft or finance as of the time of checking.
A match found – this means a match of theft or finance has been made at the time of checking. TER will contact you to confirm any details.
Referred to TER - This means further checking is required by the TER office, the status will update once we have completed the further checks.
The results screen is updated every minute so results will be automatically updated.
You can add checks to each auction at any time and print the certificates for all completed checks.
Once your auction is finished and all your checks are complete, you can close the auction. This will then produce your invoice and will email you a copy. You will then pay for your checks within seven days by BACS, cheque or credit / debit card.
When you wish to start you next auction just click on the ‘Start new auction’ button. Click here to download the user guide
We look forward to hearing from you.