If It Prints, I'll Let You Know

Printer Ink Scam: Overpriced Ink and Toner!

In a previous post, we already warned readers about telemarketers who try to trick small businesses into purchasing toner and ink cartridges. Judging from a more recent news feature, however, it seems that such scams are not yet letting up.

The feature warns this time about a group of what we can only presume to be telemarketers who sell overpriced ink cartridges. They are said to often prey on small businesses because, more often than not, small businesses do not have a strict purchasing process in place.

ink The scammers operate by telling unwitting employees that their products either contain more ink or are of a popular brand name or has the ability to print more. They then bank on the possibility that they will be able to get a verbal approval for an order from the employee that they are talking to. In reality, however, their offers end up costing the businesses way more that what they would normally spend on the same product — as much as four times the normal price.

There are times that these callers will simply lie outright just to make what can only be termed as a “forced sale”. What the company will then receive is a bill that will have neither a phone number nor a return address, but simply a post office box where payment can be sent.

So if you are running a small business, what should be done? It is suggested that it be made standard procedure to direct all purchases to a single point person, and all the company’s employees should be briefed to follow this procedure strictly.

It is also highly recommended to restrict purchases to reliable ink and toner stores; there are certainly a number of ways to save, so do not fall into the temptation of doing it the wrong way.