Public Workshop:
Office Supply Fraud

As part of the Commission's ongoing efforts to combat office and cleaning supply fraud, the Commission requests information from and the participation of interested parties. Since the Telemarketing Sales Rule's issuance in December 1995, the Commission has filed more than 20 lawsuits against office and cleaning supply telemarketing operations. Almost all of the victims in these cases have been small businesses and non-profit organizations.  Consumer complaint data shows that office supply fraud is not abating.

The Commission is interested in exploring current marketing practices in the office and cleaning supply industry and how the sales practices of office and cleaning supply telemarketers have changed since the Rule's inception. Information about how businesses and organizations purchase office supplies would also be helpful. The goal of the upcoming workshop is to educate the Commission and the public about current business practices of office supply telemarketers and what further law enforcement or education efforts could help eradicate fraud in this industry.

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