robdwoods - 7:21 pm on May 17, 2010 (gmt 0)

I've been contacted numerous times by companies running a similar scam. In this case you are entered in a bogus web directory and a rep calls you to confirm your billing address. They never really tell you why they need to confirm your address. They then use this later as confirmation that you placed the order and send an invoice (usually just under $500). The interface for entering a company's info is open to the public so anyone can enter you in the directory. I've had battles up to the point that the bogus directory rep was actually screaming at me and threatening legal action in an attempt to get me to pay them off to go away (I didn't of course). I'm sure many companies just see the invoice and pay it assuming it's legit. The moral of the story, I guess, is always ask "why" someone needs the info before saying yes, or as Tangor mentions above...use alternate verbiage to avoid saying anything that could be cut and dubbed later.

Also, make sure it isn't just your accounting dept approving invoices but the person ultimately responsible for those budget items.