(1)-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Wed, 13 Nov 2002 14:50:08 -0500
From: Lisa Abbott (W.K. Kellogg Foundation Library) <LIBRARY_at_wkkf.org>
Subject: RE: Business Directory Scams
Directory scam number 2,345,340.. watch out for slim little
"entryoffers" in the mail which look like invoices from UTP AG,
a Swiss publisher who prints something called the Internet
Business Guide. We just received one for the amount of
$960 USD. It was addressed directly to accounts payable.
Thankfully, they sent it over to me for
verification before issuing payment -- whew!
Lisa Abbott, M.S.
Information Specialist
W.K. Kellogg Foundation Library
One Michigan Avenue East
Battle Creek, MI 49017-4058
269-969-2100
(2)------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Fri, 15 Nov 2002 14:27:13 -0500
From: Jonathan Lord (U. of VA Health Sciences Lib)
<JML4S_at_hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu>
Subject: Telephone scam?
Has anyone had any experience in dealing with a publishing company named
"MNC Publications?" They seem to be operating a telephone scam wherein
they call libraries to confirm address information, then try to convince
you that you have authorized them to publish your data, and you must now
accept delivery of a directory, along with an invoice for $299.99. The
directory in this case is something called "U.S. National White & Yellow
Pages: Library Section." They will insist on shipping this to you, even
if you tell them you do not want it. At first, it all sounds legit, but
if you ask too many questions, their scam becomes apparent.
Beware...
Jonathan Lord
Assistant Director for Collection Development
University of Virginia Health Sciences Library
P.O. Box 800722 / Charlottesville, VA 22908-0722
Phone: 434-924-0059 FAX 434-243-5873
E-Mail: JonLord_at_Virginia.edu
(3)----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Fri, 22 Nov 2002 13:02:27 -0500
From: Kathryn E. Boyd (Queens Borough Pub. Lib.)
<KBoyd_at_QueensLibrary.org>
Subject: National Fluid Safety - Scam
This must be scam season. One of our branch librarians (on the job a
mere 2 weeks,
poor thing!) was recently swindled by a caller who talked really fast,
wanted to verify
the branch's address, and then asked for her name and hung up. The next
week she
received a package containing a binder of what looks to be a long
document printed
out from the OSHA website, along with an invoice for $138. The
company's name is
National Fluid Safety in Miramar, Florida.
Since we had just gone through the same thing with IBD (International
Business
Directories), I spoke with our Legal department and they are now
drafting a form letter
for this and future scams. We still have to take the staff time to send
the materials back,
however. I suppose we could try to get a call tag to make the company
pay for the return,
but that only adds more staff time because you usually have to jump
through hoops to
try to talk to a human at these scam companies.
I filled out an online complaint form with the local Better Business
Bureau in Florida
for good measure.
Kathryn Boyd
Collection Development Coordinator
Queens Borough Public Library
89-11 Merrick Blvd.
Jamaica, NY 11432
tel: 718.990.0721
fax: 718.990.8566
kboyd_at_queenslibrary.org
Received on Tue Nov 26 2002 - 20:12:10 EST