Telemarketing Printer Cartridge Scam!

Telemarketers routinely call businesses that may require ink or toner cartridges, and will say that they want to confirm the type of printer being used by the company. At times, they will bluff about having a record of the company’s printer, as if the company already has dealt with the telemarketer before, then drop a popular name brand such as Hewlett Packard. Once the telemarketer is able to confirm the type of printer used by the company, they then hang up – as if there was never really any intention to sell.

Then a few days later, the telemarketer will again make a call – this time saying that the company has been ordering the exact cartridges that the company needs from them for the past couple of weeks – and that this week, they have a special. Sly!

The other modus operandi is more devious, and relies on the premise that in some companies, the person who receives supplies is not the same person who orders them. Once again, a telemarketer will call to find out what kind of printer or printers the company uses. Then, once they have that information, they won’t bother calling back but immediately send in a whole box of cartridges.

If someone from the mailroom signs for it, then they’re home free; someone is bound to open the packages and uses these to restock supply shelves. Later, bookkeeping will get a bill and the mail person will confirm that these cartridges did arrive. At that point, someone must have used some of the cartridges or they’re all mixed up with other supplies there’s no telling which is which, and there’s nothing that bookkeeping can do other than pay up.

Hah, what people do to get an extra buck these days! To be safe, always get your ink and toner cartridges from reputable stores.