Fake Invoice Scam . . .

[tpenfield]

I get to review and approve all of the voice and data communications bills where I work (lucky me ). Anyway, today an invoice came in for a "Maintenance Agreement" from a Telecom company that I never heard of . . . looking for $425.00

The invoice looks fairly generic, but has enough info, like mailing address, phone numbers, etc. so maybe it would pass as legitimate. They even list a web site, and it looks almost legit. Anyway, I googled the 800 number that was listed and all kinds of scam and attorney general office hits came up.

I assume that this company (called "UST") has probably sent out thousands of these invoices . . . I wonder how many actually get paid ? I think fake invoices are now the 'fad' scam, as I am seeing more of these over the past few years.

Just thought that I would share

 

[Scorpion8]

Re: Fake Invoice Scam . . .

I think a lot of those get paid by folks just processing what coems thru their system. I have noticed a huge amount of highly sophisticated spam lately (such as direct mimic of AT&T Wireless bills) that are all spam links. I got a "bill" from one the other night for 5x what my normal wireless bill is and every hyperlink was a spambot link.

 

[robert graham]

Re: Fake Invoice Scam . . .

Yep, we got one at my office last week from what looked like the Better Business Bureau, some kind of complaint, and we were supposed to click on a link to "find out more". Our owner is a member of the Better Business Bureau here, and said it was just another scam...so we just hit "delete" button. Lots of "cyber-trash" floating around!

 

[roscoe]

Re: Fake Invoice Scam . . .

Newer version of old scam.

25 years ago, after my grandfather went blind, my grandmother started paying all the bills, and anything that looked like a bill.

Once she paid the first fake bill, she was a target, and ended up paying dozens, maybe hundreds, before we noticed.

Luckily, they could afford the hit.

 

[kobe]

Re: Fake Invoice Scam . . .

As a business owner I see more and more of this crap every month.... it has gotten so bad that we have to change the generic company email addresses online (info@, hr@ etc..) every six months or so. i am constantly preching to the staff - CONFIRM who it is from before acting on any unsolicited crap.

 

[bigdee]

Re: Fake Invoice Scam . . .

As a business owner I see more and more of this crap every month.... it has gotten so bad that we have to change the generic company email addresses online (info@, hr@ etc..) every six months or so. i am constantly preching to the staff - CONFIRM who it is from before acting on any unsolicited crap.

With a good business systems management software system such as SAP this fake invoice could not get paid.

 

[kobe]

Re: Fake Invoice Scam . . .

With a good business systems management software system such as SAP this fake invoice could not get paid.

They don't get paid as I authorize all payments...

 

[Maclin]

Re: Fake Invoice Scam . . .

DELETED

After posting "The trick I first came across...." I realized I was giving out tips to the scammers....sorry!

 

[Sawz]

Re: Fake Invoice Scam . . .

Back in the 70's a local lumber yard had a salesman that sold a power saw to someone that had an account, He couldn't remember who it was and told his boss, His boss told him to bill everyone and those who didn't buy it would complain and to take it off their account. about 30% didn't complain. The salesman said whenever the owner wanted a "little boost" he would pull the same crap