Larimer law official urges vigilance against companies who attempt to coerce payment for unordered toner cartridges.
Reporter Herald has published a warning from a Larimer county sheriff against firms that try to scam payment for unordered deliveries of printer cartridges.
The warning has been publicised after discovering that a local business was being threatened with legal action by California-based Imaging Supply Centre (ISC) for failure to pay for copier toner sent in 2010.
An investigation revealed a string of complaints against ISC for sending unordered toner supplies to businesses and subsequently charging as much as three times the average retail price. ISC’s assumed methodology is straightforward: ISC representatives will contact a business, requesting an address and the name of the employee being spoken to before sending the toner, claiming the employee ordered it.
The unnamed local business had paid two invoices amounting to $1,100 (€895) before realising the error. ICS refused offers to return the unordered toner.
Although using a valid address, ISC do not have a business premises, website or active phone line.
The Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Consumer Protection have distributed tips to avoid scams of this nature. Companies are encouraged to “know your rights”, “assign designated buyers and document your purchases”, “check your documentation before paying bills” and “train your staff […] in how to respond to telemarketers”.