Don't Buy It

Office-supply scams are still big business.

Small businesses are being bilked out of millions of dollarseach year by bogusoffice-supply firms. To protect yourself, knowyour rights. You don't have topay for supplies or services youdidn't order, even if you use them. Assigndesignated buyers,keep a record of purchases, and always check documentation.Finally,train your staff to be aware of potential scams and to avoidbecomingvictims. The three most popular scams to look out for:

* The phony invoice, which involves a bogus firm billingyour businessinflated prices for unordered merchandise.

* The pretender, in which the scam artist pretends to bea supplier youuse regularly or have used before.

* The gift horse, where the scammer tricks an employeeinto accepting agift, which is followed by unordered merchandiseand an invoice showing theemployee's name.

For more information on office-supply scams, contact the FederalTradeCommission at (202) FTC-HELP or visit the commission's Website athttp://www.ftc.org