Bogus bills scam aimed to rip-off business
Issue Date: - Tuesday, 4 August 2009
Consumer Protection has issued an urgent warning about a postal scam aimed at business operators.
Commissioner for Consumer Protection, Anne Driscoll, said false invoices are being sent to Western Australian businesses seeking substantial sums be sent to Trade Mark Publishers for on-line registration of company trademarks.
Ms Driscoll said Consumer Protection had received a flurry of complaints about the fake invoices which have been sent from Austria via the United Kingdom. While the business claims to have an Australian bank account number and postal address this appears to be a virtual office, set up to redirect mail overseas.
“At first glance the invoices appear authentic, and the scammers are hoping in the bustle of commercial activity some may slip through the accounting process and be paid.”
A close inspection reveals the invoice does contain a clause advising Trade Mark Publishers is not associated with the Federal Government agency responsible for trademarks, IP Australia, but this disclaimer could easily be missed.
IP Australia has issued an official warning on its website about this scam.
According to the Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC), scammers often prey on busy small business operators.
"History has shown that small operators are often regarded by professional scammers as soft targets" said Stephen Moir, Managing Director of the SBDC. "No matter how small the business, it helps to have a purchase order system so order numbers can be matched to invoices before any payments are made."
A Consumer Protection investigation has revealed the scam is being run in at least 15 countries, aiming at business large and small.
Commissioner Driscoll said companies should always be wary of unsolicited accounts, ensure invoices are for goods or services rendered to their satisfaction, and discard any bearing the name Trade Mark Publishers.
More information about scams is available from the WA ScamNet website at www.commerce.wa.gov.au/wascamnet.
The public can also subscribe to WA ScamNet Alerts. Registration is free and available from the home page.