SMALL business operators have been urged to remain vigilant for scammers during the global economic crisis, with a spate of postal scams hitting Western Australia in the past few months.
The Small Business Development Corporation has warned the state's small to medium-sized enterprises about a rogue company, Trade Mark Publishers, sending false invoices for "substantial sums" to businesses for on-line registration of company trademarks.
SBDC managing director, Stephen Moir, said while the business claims to have an Australian bank account number and postal address, it appears to be a virtual office, set up to redirect mail overseas.
He said scammers often preyed on busy small business operators, which are seen as soft targets.
Commissioner for consumer protection, Anne Driscoll, said her office had received an influx of complaints about the fake invoices, which have been sent from Austria via the UK.
"At first glance the invoices appear authentic, and the scammers are hoping ... some may slip through the accounting process and be paid," Ms Driscoll said in a statement.
The commissioner said the invoice did contain a clause advising Trade Mark
Publishers was not associated with the federal government agency responsible for
Trademarks, IP Australia, but this disclaimer could easily be missed.
IP Australia has issued an official warning on its website about the scam.
A Consumer Protection investigation has revealed the scam is being run in at least 15 countries.
Ms Driscoll said companies should always be wary of unsolicited accounts, ensure invoices are for goods or services rendered to their satisfaction, and discard any bearing the name Trade Mark Publishers.
