Toner Phoner Scam

What employees should know

The FTC’s “Operation Misprint” is trying to crack down on telemarketing fraud; employee education is one of the first lines of defense. All employees should understand who is authorized to make purchases as well as knowing how to avoid revealing any information about the company’s buying practices, even if the caller seems to be familiar with the company and other employees.

Meanwhile, don’t wait for a report of a phoner toner call to train your employees to handle the scam. You can describe the practice as an aside during a training session or as a short e-mail.

The FTC recommends these tips for protecting your company against scams:

• If you receive bills for goods or services that you didn't order, you’re not obligated to pay, even if the product was already delivered.
• Inspect your bills and be sure they correspond with the goods and services you’ve ordered and the prices you were quoted. Do the same when you receive the shipment.
• Assign purchasing to designated employees. Verify documentation for all purchases.
• Train employees who are not authorized to order goods and services to clearly say so, and to direct the caller to the authorized personnel.
• Be skeptical of "cold" or unsolicited calls; recognize and resist high-pressure sales tactics.
• If you suspect an office supply scam, report it to the FTC, the State Attorney General's office, or the Better Business Bureau.

FTC resources

If your business falls victim to the “phoner toner” scam, you should report the fraud to the FTC. To file a complaint, call toll free, 877-FTC-HELP (877-382-4357).

The FTC’s Web site also contains a number of articles that can educate the public about common deceptive practices. In addition, the National Fraud Information Center can be reached toll free at 800-876-7060.

We hope this helps our clients avoid the scammers, check back often for other industry news.