Connecticut’s consumer watchdog agency is alerting businesses and individuals to a scam involving allegedly bogus invoices.
Department of Consumer Protection Commissioner Jonathan A. Harris said Friday the agency has gotten several complaints in recent days about the fake invoices from “Website Backup.”
“We’ve received two complaints, and we’re confident that there are others in Connecticut who also received the invoice,” Harris said in a statement. “We’re aware that this solicitation has surfaced in other parts of the country as well.’’
“This solicitation,’’ he said, “is not acceptable as a means of ‘marketing’ a service, and the company so far has been cooperating with the department in its investigation.”
Harris cautioned that unless you verify that you’re actually a customer of this business, do not send any payment. Other advice:
- As in this case, beware of solicitations or promotions disguised as bills. Fake invoices are sometimes marked with the notice, “This is not a bill,” or in very small fine print will say, “This is a solicitation.”
- Review all bills and invoices carefully. Be especially wary of any from companies with whom you are unfamiliar.
- Know the vendors you use regularly, and keep a list.
- Have effective internal controls in place for the payment of invoices.
- Verify all invoices with the person who authorized the purchase.
Anyone who receives an “invoice” from “Website Backup” or any other company for unordered, undelivered or unsolicited services is encouraged to file a complaint with the DCP at dcp.frauds@ct.gov and, if possible, include a copy of the “invoice.”
