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Supplier Telemarketing Scams
University faculty and staff receive should be aware of an on-going problem with
unauthorized supplier representatives using questionable business tactics to market
"special promotions", "limited time offers", etc. for copier
toner, office supplies, maintenance items, etc. These telemarketers attempt to scam
the University by convincing faculty and staff to order or approve shipments of goods
based on the misperception that they are a University approved supplier. These
supplies are usually of inferior quality and priced significantly higher than fair
market value from University approved suppliers. Some of their questionable business
tactics include:
- Phone calls about renewal orders never placed
- Invoices for goods never shipped
- A deadline for special promotion or sales
- Pre-authorization for a future shipment
Advertisements
Watch out for advertisements in unknown publications, usually touting a
"good" cause - veterans, minorities, and the like. Don't be fooled by this.
Recent Example: A department received demands for payment, stating that
the Chancellor had approved an ad to be run in their paper. No such authorization had
been given by the Chancellor or anyone else! The paper, American Black Journal,
insists otherwise. Such callers are trained to fool!! When Purchasing contacted them,
they promised to send a list of their circulation. No such list has arrived.
Copier Toner Sellers
BEWARE. These are the most prevalent fraudulent suppliers at this time.
They often have information about you before they call or they smoothly get
information from you about your equipment and then contact someone else in the
department to make their pitch as though they are your regular supplier. There is
no let-up in these types of "toner-phoners". Never buy from them!
Purchasing from unknown toner scammers just promotes their interest in the
University of Pennsylvania.
Office Supplies
Office supplies from suppliers with a tale of woe - going out of business -
"someone died and we have to liquidate" - "a misdirected trailer is
sitting close to the University and we'll practically give you the stuff", etc.
When checking out their pricing against what we pay to the University's preferred
contract supplier for office supplies, their prices have been found to be anywhere
from 2 to 10 times higher than you would pay from Office Depot.
Quality and warranty are also issues since these "companies" change their
names and move from location to location continually.
Trapped Funds in Nigeria
A few years ago, many departments received messages regarding "Trapped Funds
in Nigeria". This strategy has not disappeared. Their scam message continues
to be distributed to faculty and staff across campus.
Fraudulent Supplier List
Purchasing Services has developed a list of known fraudulent suppliers. Most of
these companies employ fast talkers or send out "invoices"for unapproved
orders. The following is a list of suppliers that have contacted University
departments in the past. Since this type of supplier frequently changes its name
and address, this list is updated on a regular basis.
- Acme Company
- Ameri-Source Publications
- Angeles Distribution Company
- Benchmark Print Supply
- CCM Supply
- Central Distribution, Inc.
- Certified Supply Center, Inc.
- Direct Supply Company
- Distribution Service Center
- Distribution Warehouse Center
- District Service Center
- District Warehouse Center
- District Distribution Center
- Franklin Distribution Company
- IDCSERVCO
- Intercoast Supply Center
- International Supply Center
- Interstate Distribution Corporation
- Laser Imaging Systems
- Michael's Quality Service
- National Supply Center
- One Source Supply Center
- Quality Maintenance
- Regional Distribution Center
- Regional Supply Center, Inc.
- Reliable Maintenance
- Standard Technologies Incorporated
- Supplies Distribution Network
- Supply Information Center
- Tech Maintenance Supply Inc.
- TMSI
- United Warehouse Suppliers
- Upstate Supply, Inc.
- Vortex Supplies
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