EAR FALLS, ON) – On January 24th, 2017 the Ear Falls Ontario Provincial Police OPP was notified by a local business about receiving a fraudulent invoice for printer supplies from a company with a British Columbia address.
Police conducted an online search into the company and it revealed that they have already been flagged by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) for similar type activity. The company mails legitimate looking invoices for printer supplies to random businesses and it does not appear that they target any specific businesses.
The Better Business Bureau offers the following tips for phony invoice schemes:
• Educate your staff, particularly those responsible for paying invoices about the variety of scams involving phony invoices and solicitations.
• Channel all invoices through one department.
• Carefully read all invoices and solicitations which are sent to your company and verify with the person who gave written or verbal authorization.
• Check your records to confirm claims of previous business dealing with a company or seller. Do not be alarmed by language indicating that an unfamiliar unpaid invoice will be forwarded to a collection agency. If your business did not order or place an order with a company, you are not responsible for paying the invoice.
• In a dispute, if the invoicing company says it has a tape recording of an order, insist on hearing it.
• If you become aware of the scheme only after payment has been made on the fraudulent invoice, immediately contact your bank, your local police department, and the Better Business Bureau.
If you or someone you know suspect they’ve been a victim of fraud, contact your local police service, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, and Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), or online at https://www.tipsubmit.com/start.htm
For more information on fraud prevention please visit www.opp.ca and also visit www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca
