Scam Targets Businesses

A new office supply scam focuses on calling businesses to ascertain information about office equipment to later ship that equipment at an outrageous price, the Better Business Bureau warns.

At least two Burley businesses last week reported getting telephone calls from people attempting to “verify information” about office equipment, said Kathy Mooso of the Mini-Cassia Chamber of Commerce.

The callers are hustlers trying to push products at phenomenal prices, said Kathryn Jones, of the Eastern Idaho-Western Wyoming Better Business Bureau.

They prey on front office employees and eager-toplease telephone receptionists, Jones said, leading them into disclosing the brand and model of copy machine, fax and other office equipment. Often times they will identify themselves as that business’s office supply representative, Jones said.

Later, once they have the information they need, the office supply hustlers call back claiming there is a shortage of some goods but are offering supplies at a special price.