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In these cases, a high-pressure telemarketer calls the target business offering discounted office products and frequently a free gift is offered along with the products. Sometimes, the caller claims the call is confirming a previously authorized transaction by another person at the target company.
Usually the products delivered (if any) are substandard or over-priced.
The USPIS recommends that business watch for the following elements that have commonly been found in the fraudulent telemarketing of office supplies. Beware if the telemarketer:
Claims the merchandise supplier is in distress and therefore can offer discount or bargain prices because it is going out of business.
Says your company already placed an order but the supplier made a mistake and either never mailed an original invoice or shipped the merchandise to a wrong address, and then offers you a discount to "make amends."
Is vague about the supplier's location or refuses to reveal it altogether.
States that an official or officer in your company suggested that you be contacted to place an order or close an already agreed-to deal.
Says he cannot mail a sales catalog for your review before you place an order.
Insists you make a decision to purchase immediately.
At Loss Prevention Concepts, Ltd. we recommend that businesses reject all high-pressure sales of any type and never make purchases of anything sight unseen. Additionally, it makes sense to check out any vendor company and obtain competitive quotes for all goods and services.
Your best protection is to terminate the conversation if you recognize it to be a high-pressure sales pitch. Also, it's a wise policy to never prepay for goods and never accept C.O.D. shipments. By demanding that billing accompany the delivery of the product, businesses retain the option of returning inferior products.
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