SCAM ALERT for area business that take orders and payment by phone. | Public Domain Pictures
SCAM ALERT for area business that take orders and payment by phone. | Public Domain Pictures
From February 10, 2023 Post.
SCAM ALERT for area business that take orders and payment by phone.
The Randolph County Sheriff’s Office has been alerted to individuals making purchases by phone to area businesses (most recently building supply stores in the area) with a credit card, having the product picked up and then later the scammer disputes the charges on the card. Other very similar scams have been reported across the nation; often giving fraudulent credit card numbers over the phone for the purchase. Some have even canceled an order and requested funds be returned to a different card that the purchase was made. The 2nd card provided was their own card to which they now receive credit on their account or a cash refund. Theft and money laundering at its finest!
Tips for Stopping Scammers
• Do not take orders over the phone from unknown buyers!
• If they want the product and want to do business with you – wouldn’t they want to meet you just as much as you want to meet them?
• If you do, make sure to get business and personal names, references, look up the person and try to find additional contact numbers, perform a business search with the Better Business Bureau.
• Do not allow them to rush you!
• Scammers are notorious for being quick.
• Do not allow courier drivers to leave with your product unless you are 100% certain the sale is legitimate!
• Once that product leaves your business – it's likely gone forever!
• Train your team members – no sale is worth the hassle and the time wasted with a scammer.
• If you do process an order, only return the funds to the credit card you took on the initial order.
• It has been suggested to not take credit card purchases by phone and require identification when purchasing in person.
• Additionally, think through the sale/situation and ask yourself the simple questions – the simplest questions are often the easiest to ask when working with a scammer. Who, What, When, Why, and most importantly Where questions will help you determine the validity of a buyer. Whom am I dealing with? Do I know them?
• And finally, be diligent – no sale is worth being tied up in a fraud case and the time and money spent recovering your money, stolen property, etc.
Original Source Can Be Found Here.
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