CLUES
Spot what doesn't add up before you commit.
CLUES is Portcullis's structured method for checking counterparties and shipments. Five questions, asked the same way every time, so that anomalies are noticed before goods, money or information move.
CLUES turns counterparty checks into a repeatable process rather than relying on individual judgement.
CLUES identifies risk indicators and inconsistencies. It does not certify that a third party is legitimate, safe or free from criminal activity.
Five checks, one discipline
Each letter is a question your team should be able to answer with evidence, not assumption. A single inconsistency is a reason to verify further, not proof of wrongdoing.
Contact
Is the person who they claim to be?
- Confirm the individual through a channel you already trust, not one they supplied.
- Check their role and authority to give the instruction.
- Treat reluctance to speak by phone or video as a reason to check further.
Location
Does the organisation operate where it says it does?
- Check the trading address against company registers and independent sources.
- Confirm there is a working landline linked to that address.
- Look for virtual offices or addresses shared by unrelated firms.
URL
Does the digital presence support the claimed identity?
- Check the age and registration of the website domain.
- Look for copied content, stock team photos or missing company details.
- Compare the website with trade listings and company records.
Email
Does the communication channel genuinely belong to the organisation?
- Compare the sending domain with the official website, letter by letter.
- Treat free webmail used for commercial instructions as a reason to check further.
- Verify any change of bank details or instructions by phone, using a number already on file.
Shipper / Shipment
Does the proposed transaction make commercial sense?
- Check the shipper is contactable and connected to the goods.
- Question unusual urgency, routings, pricing or requests for credit.
- Confirm the goods, values and consignee fit a genuine trading pattern.
Clear outcomes
Every CLUES check ends in one of three outcomes, each with a defined next step. The result determines the next action — not whether a business is "safe".
- GREEN
No material anomalies identified.
Proceed under your normal controls, and keep a record of the checks made.
- AMBER
Further verification required.
Resolve each open item through an independent channel before committing.
- RED
Escalation required before proceeding.
Stop, escalate to a nominated manager and follow your incident procedure.
What a CLUES check looks like
Members will record checks in the Portcullis platform. The example below is illustrative and does not describe a real company.
CLUES check
Illustrative example — not a real company or assessment.
Counterparty
ABC Global Logistics
Result
3 items require verification
- Email: Email domain mismatchVerify
- Contact: Contact not independently verifiedVerify
- Shipper / Shipment: Urgent credit requestedVerify
- Location: Registered address confirmedChecked
- URL: Website consistent with company recordsChecked
Put CLUES to work in your business
CLUES is part of Portcullis membership and is assessed under the Portcullis Standard.