Business Supply Scams

Make sure you're too savvy to become a victim.

Watch out! As an entrepreneur, you are a target for one of themost common--and potentially most costly--business scams:telemarketing con artists selling overpriced, poor-quality officesupplies. Here are some tips to protect your business.

  • The Federal Trade Commission requires telemarketers to disclosethat it's a sales call, who they are and the total cost of whatthey're selling--so don't be afraid to ask.
  • Make sure your employees are scam-aware and establish aprocedure for handling such calls.
  • Keep track of all orders, and limit the number of staff who areallowed to order.
  • If you receive merchandise you didn't order--and the sellercannot prove you did-you can keep the materials and are notobligated to pay.

Excerpted from Start Your Own Business: The Only Start-Up GuideYou'll Ever Need

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