Have you ever heard of, or been the victim of, a toner scam? It’s a scam that’s becoming more common and the challenge is that it can be difficult to spot. Typically, these criminals (“toner pirates”) use telemarketing as their means to carry out the scam. For example, some businesses may receive a phone call from someone impersonating their toner supplier that aggressively encourages them to lock into a new rate to prevent future increases for toner supplies. When the toner arrives, it will be poor quality and will contain less toner per cartridge than promised. Furthermore, using this inferior quality toner in your printers and copiers can be detrimental to your equipment.

How to Not Be a Victim of a Toner Scam

The best way to avoid a toner scam is to train your employees about how to spot them and what to do if they encounter one. Outlined below are some best practices for addressing toner scams:

1. Never Order Toner Unsolicited. If you receive a call out the blue with a “too good to be true” offer on toner from a company you’re not familiar with, it’s most likely a toner pirate. Make your employees aware that they should only order print-related supplies from designated providers.

2. Never Answer Questions About Your Print Fleet Over the Phone. As a best practice, get the person’s name and number and call your provider to ensure they’re legitimate.

3. Don’t Be Pressured Into Making a Decision. You should never feel pressured to buy toner or print-related supplies.

4. Ask the Caller for Your Account Number. If the person on the other end of the phone is legitimate, he or she should have this information.

Don’t let your company become a victim of a toner scam.  Contact us to learn more about minimizing your risk.

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