How to Avoid Telemarketing Scams

We receive feedback from University departments reporting suppliers that use questionable business tactics to sell copier toner, office supplies, maintenance items, etc.

These telemarketing suppliers attempt to scam companies by getting individuals in departments to order or approve shipments of goods based on the misperception that they are a University approved supplier. Their "fishy" sounding sales pitches include:

• Phone calls about renewal orders never placed
• Invoices for goods never shipped
• A deadline for special promotion or sale
• Pre-authorization for a future shipment

To help the University community stay on guard against these questionable suppliers, we have developed a list of useful tips to help prevent departments from being swindled:

• If someone calls you about the "renewal of a previous order", ask them for the original purchase order number. If they produce a purchase order number, investigate the authenticity of the number and the ordering department. If they cannot produce a valid purchase order number, attempt to obtain the caller's phone number for your records and hang up.
• If you receive an invoice in the mail for an order of which you have no record, read the invoice carefully. If the fine print states, "This is not an invoice. Material will not be shipped without prepayment", save the invoice and contact Purchasing Services for assistance.
• Do not authorize any shipment of supplies, or provide your MasterCard Purchasing Card number to a caller soliciting business over the phone.
• If you receive a shipment of supplies which were never ordered, do not open any of the packages or use any of the supplies. Store the shipment in a secure area, save the packing list, and contact Purchasing Services for assistance.
• Never enter into any negotiations with a caller attempting to "resolve an invoice problem" for a shipment/invoice from an unknown or questionable supplier. Contact Purchasing Services immediately for direction and/or assistance.
• If you are ever unsure about dealing with a certain supplier, contact Purchasing Services at 215-898-7216 for assistance.