Office supply scams are on the rise and its time for retailers to put extra precautions in place to avoid getting taken by these unscrupulous salesmen. This type of scam generally involves deceptive selling tactics of office supply goods used by most businesses: toner, paper, credit card terminal supplies, and even advertising. The fraudulent callers may get you to agree to pay for items you didn't order, do not need or offer phony "specials".
Take a look at the following tips from the Federal Trade Commission to help your retail store avoid getting ripped off in an office supply scam.
1. Understand Your Rights
Businesses are only required to pay for goods and services they ordered. If you didn't buy it, don't pay it. Any unordered items can be treated as a gift. Keep in mind that mistakes are made and you should make an effort to resolve any incorrect orders.2. Assign One Contact Person
Confusion and the lack of communication can be eliminated by having a purchasing department or a single buyer. Another way to protect your retail business from getting ripped off is by documenting all inventory buys with written purchase orders.3. Inform Your Employees
Scammers prey on the uninformed. Let all employees know about possible office supply scams and train them how to handle salesmen and telemarketers. Those types of inquiries should be turned over to the buyer or purchasing department.4. Read (And Listen to) the Fine Print
Always say 'no' to any cold callers or other unsolicited sales pitches and ask for information in writing before making a commitment. Review credit card statements and phone bills for any unauthorized charges. Don't pay invoices that do not have a corresponding purchase order.5. Report Fraud
Retailers can report any suspected office supply scam to the Federal Trade Commission, the state Attorney General, local consumer protection office, or Better Business Bureau.For more information on the various scams, visit the FTC's Avoiding Office Supply Scams. To file a complaint or to get free information, visit www.ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261.
