The Internet is a wonderful business tool but our contact details are out there for all to see which opens members to a wide variety of scams and frauds.
BOGUS INVOICES: These are invoices for services you have not authorised. Known instances of bogus invoices are:
A faxed invoice on look-alike Yellow Pages letterhead. Close scrutiny of the document revealed a number of mistakes including the 'two finger walking' logo used by Yellow Pages being displayed upside down.
Invoices sent to members throughout Australia seeking payment for the amount of $99 for listing on websites which started with the word accommodation, e.g. accommodationfremantle.com, accommodationvic.com.au. The invoices were sent out by a company names Special Days Pty Ltd. The websites charged for existed, but the listings were not authorised. This is a fraudulent practice and members were directed to lodge a complaint to the Office of Fair Trading in NSW where this company is registered.
A member in Tasmania has alerted us via the Members Blog to the use of this same tactic by Net Trans Services. Their demand is for the payment of 'commissions.
SPAM EMAILS AND PHISHING: If you are a member of BBFAA reading this, you will have received warnings from the Office about the proliferation of scam emails. We have advised that a great many of them, particularly those from overseas, have a Yahoo email address. The other indictor is that the emails may not be addressed directly to you, but Undisclosed Recipient. This is known as Phishing and if you reply to an un-addressed email, the sender knows that they have a live contact on their ‘Phishing Line’ and they will pursue you relentlessly. It’s best not to reply to these emails unless you know they have come from a reliable source. Examples of these types of emails are listed in Scams in the Members’ Section of the BBFAA website. There are reputable agencies that send emails addressed to ‘Undisclosed Recipient’ or something similar. BBFAA will always be identifiable as the sender on any bulk emails sent to members and our email address should be saved in your address book so our messages are not directed to your junk mail box.
TELEPHONE BLOWING: ‘Telephone Blowing’ is the term used by the ACCC to describe our old friends – the Unsolicited Marketing People? You know how it goes, you receive a telephone call saying “You placed an ad in our brochure and I’m calling for payment” or “You asked me to call when our next brochure is due and I’m calling to let you know that you need to pay today to get in it”. Often, the names of the publications given by the caller are remarkably similar to other well known publications. You have no recollection of placing the ad but it all sounds very plausible and they catch a lot of people on the hop. If they strike it lucky and you give them your credit card details they’ll process it immediately before you can get back to them to say you’ve changed your mind. BBFAA has, in the past, reported this practice to both the relevant state fair trading office and the ACCC. This has resulted in successful prosecutions but there are always other fraudulent businesses ready to fill the gap when one has been closed down. Members must remain vigilant. The answer is to never pay for an advertisement on a telephone call unless you are completely satisfied that it’s legitimate. If you don’t recall placing the advertisement, then you most likely haven’t. Always ask for written proof that you’ve placed an ad. And always make a note of ads you have placed and keep it handy by the telephone so can consult it quickly.
The Fair Trading or Consumer Affairs Department in your State of Territory will receive any complaints you have against traders.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has an excellent document entitled ‘Scams – Protect Your Business From Them’ which can be downloaded from their website: www.accc.gov.au or telephone 1300 302 502.
The BBFAA Office regularly hears about current scams. Don’t hesitate to contact us at admin@bbfaa.com.au if you need to check something.
