Carson City DA Rombardo warns local businesses of potential Telecom scam
Recently, the Carson City District Attorney’s Office was made aware of a potentially misleading solicitation from U S Telecom sweeping the country.
U S Telecom sends a solicitation for telecom services to local municipalities, school districts, and businesses. Although not stamped with the word “invoice,” the document appears to be an invoice and municipalities, school districts, and companies have complained of being duped into paying U S Telecom $425 for what these entities later complain is little or nothing in return.
“Although I am not aware of any incidents in Carson City, my research indicates there are recent complaints arising out of southern Nevada as well as the Bay Area and throughout the United States,” said Rombardo in a released statement. “I believe it is only a matter of time before these solicitations hit Carson City.” As a part of the D.A.’s new Business Protection Program to assist local business, one of the Office’s goals is to advise Carson City’s businesses of potential scams as the Office becomes aware of them.
A check of the Better Business Bureau’s website indicates U S Telecom, 305 North Sacramento Avenue, Ontario CA 91764 receives an F rating from the Bureau. This rating is based on over 800 complaints, the majority of which are based on the company’s potentially misleading solicitation. Both the New York Attorney General and North Dakota Attorney General have issued cease and desist letters to U S Telecom and warnings to constituents.
Rombardo offers the following tips to avoid phony bills and invoices:
Look out for solicitations disguised as bills or invoices. Sometimes fake invoices are marked with the notice “This is not a bill,” but not always;
Review what appears to be a bill or invoice carefully;
Be wary of any bill or invoice from an unknown vendor;
Keep a list of, and know, your vendors;
Have effective internal controls in place for the payment of bills or invoices;
Verify all bills or invoices with the person who authorized the purchase; and Check with the BBB Business Review on any business that has contacted you before signing anything or giving any payment or payment information.
It is important to note that U S Telecom is not the same as USTELECOM the Broadband Association.