RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — According to the Better Business Bureau (BBB), several businesses in central Virginia have been targeted by fake invoices.
The fake invoices are sent via fax demanding payment for Facebook and Twitter features.
But according to the businesses targeted, features were never ordered or received.
The BBB says while the invoice appears to be from Yellow Pages, it is really from a company calling itself American Yellow Group Inc.
“Unfortunately, this is isn’t the only invoice scam out there.” said Tom Gallagher, President and CEO of BBB serving central Virginia. “In order to protect your business, you must have the proper procedures in place for paying invoices.”
All of the invoices appear to show $498.95 due immediately and states to send checks to American Yellow Group Inc in Bulgaria.
The top of the invoice gives the impression that the account has been turned over to collection agency “US Credit Bureau Protection — GPR International Inc.
Below are some tips the BBB offers before paying that questionable invoice:
Educate your staff, particularly those responsible for paying invoices about the variety of scams involving phony invoices and solicitations.
Channel all invoices through one department.
Carefully read all invoices and solicitations which are sent to your company and verify with the person who gave written or verbal authorization.
Check your records to confirm claims of previous business dealings with a company or seller. Do not be alarmed by language indicating that an unfamiliar unpaid invoice will be forwarded to a collection agency. If your business did not order or place an order with a company, you are not responsible for paying the invoice.
If you become aware of the scheme only after payment has been made on the fraudulent invoice, immediately contact your Postal Inspector, local police department, and BBB.
Check with BBB. Call us at 804-648-0030 or check out BBB Scam Tracker (org/scamtracker), a source for the public to report and view scams, frauds, and warnings of malicious or suspicious activities in your area.
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