Church printing scam continues to prey on Australia
Ongoing internet scams asking printers to produce flyers for churches in Africa has prompted Printing Industries to work with the Australian Consumer and Competition Commission (ACCC) on a solution.
Printing Industries national communications and technical services manager, Joe Kowalewski, said the association had briefed the ACCC on this new scam and was actively seeking more examples to assist the commission with its investigations.
"We have set up a ScamWatch area on our website where members can get information about the latest scams and information on how to combat them," he said.
"We also have established an e-mail address, scamwatch@printnet.com.au for companies who have been approached with scam communications to contact us with their information. We can then pass this on to the ACCC and other relevant local authorities to act on and warn industry members of what to be on the lookout for."
Kowalewski said that the initial reports of a new printing industry specific scam began in Victoria during February and had now spread interstate.
"It is very important that companies educate their staff involved in quotations, accounts and e-mail handling to be aware of what's going on. While such requests may appear legitimate, some even providing credit card details for payment, phone contacts, local addresses and artwork, on closer inspection it becomes apparent that they are not," he said.
"These scans are focussed on getting printers to advance pre payment of freight charges amounting to several thousand dollars to a currency transfer service on the basis that they will be reimbursed via the provided credit card details on delivery of the job. This is not stated in the original request but comes later after communication exchanges about the job when they know you are interested.
"Of course the credit card details are fake as is the whole job specification, contacts and everything associated with the quotation request," he said.
Following is the text from the latest scam request in its original form.
Dear Sir/Madam,
My name is Eric Lemert and am interested in purchasing flyers which I want to donate to a church. I am lookong for 40,000 pieces of the Flyers with the size 8.5"x11 in full paper and i want you to do the art work in the atachment with a Red ink and with a doubles sided on the Flyers and the colour should be white paper. I want you to print them on both side. I want you to send me an email and let me know if you can get them for me and also get me the total cost including Tax and i am going to handle the Shipping myself .Also let me know how you accept your payment before we proceed with the order .I also need your full name and phone number so that i can give you a call when necessary .Do not hesitate to contact me back regarding this order .I will be wating for your soonest response. Thank you.
Best regards,
Eric Lemert
Fax 510-373-6010*
Unit 2, 154- 164 Renwick St
Marrickville NSW 2204
Kowalewski said Printing Industries' ScamWatch information was available from the association website, www.printnet.com.au and via this link. Members can also download free the 2008 edition of The Little Black Book of Scams, A Consumer's Guide to Scams, Swindles, Rorts and Rip Offs produced by the ACCC.