Business Scams

Credit & Charge Card

Many scams have been perpetrated in which persons have posed as a representative from a credit or charge card company seeking confirmation of a card number or pin number.  The caller may begin the conversation by talking about the benefits of using the card or the importance of subscribing to a credit or charge card loss prevention program.  Their goal is to gain your confidence.

Despite what seems to be a friendly conversation, do not fall for what is obviously a scam.  Credit and charge card companies have all the information they need to know or they would not have issued you the card.  The company also sets the account and pin codes.  NEVER give credit or charge card information to a person over the telephone or in writing (including electronic means) where no secure transaction is involved.

Toner Cartridges

Be aware that “Toner Scam Artists” are still hard at work. One of the offices recently inadvertently ordered a toner cartridge for one of our Konica-Minolta Copiers from a company called United Office Solutions. The toner arrived with an outrageous invoice for $703.05, which included $58.05 for shipping, for ONE very small box of toner. The caller somehow knew the brand of copier being used and pretended to be calling on behalf of Konica-Minolta, stating that it was time to re-order toner. The toner has been returned, along with the invoice and a note, indicating that ALL toner and staples for our copy machines are included in our service agreement with Konica-Minolta.

Should receive a call requesting information about the equipment or requesting that you place an order for toner or any other supplies, let them know that copier toner is included in the service agreement and refer them to staff in the Office of Business Operations at X2830. This also applies if persons unknown to you seem to be “checking out” our equipment. All authorized Konica-Minolta Service Representatives are required to wear Konica-Minolta ID Cards. Should you receive a call to order other types of toner or ink cartridges for desktop printers, let them know that orders must be placed through our Purchasing Office at X2140.

Security Scams

Dialing #77

Dialing #77 on a cell phone will not connect you to a local police department.  This claim has been mentioned in a story about a woman was reported to have foiled a rape attempt by calling #77 on her cell phone.  She is reported to have taken this step to ensure that the police car that was following her contained a real police officer. 

#77 is not an emergency number.  Dialing 911 on a cell phone only connects you to the local police department. It is recommended that you program 911 and your local police department's number on your cell phone to ensure that you can access this service in a timely manner.  To read more about this scam, click here.

Other common proported crimes ("Urban Legends")

To read about other crime "Urban Legends" click here.

Telephone Scams 

To read about Telephone Scams click here.