Printer Toner Scam in the Midwest

Date: February 24, 2010

Springfield, MO -- In a news story out of Missouri (from KY3), print scammers are at it again. Appropriately dubbed “toner pirates” by one hospital administrator, the scammers will routinely tell outright lies to make a “sale”. The prices they ask for can be substantially more than one would normally pay. One justification offered for their prices are the supposed difference in the quantity of toner. These claims, of course, are completely unfounded.

For the “toner pirates” the best reward is a verbal authorization of the unknowing employee over the phone. One scammer is reported to have said that they talked to the CFO. When the approval happens, the result is a bill with no phone number or return address.

The hospital administrator went on to suggest that companies have all purchasing decisions go to only one person. This would eliminate any questions about which companies or salesmen that are approved or reliable.

BY ADAM HAIGH, Editor