Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller filed a consumer lawsuit again three Orange County, Calif. businesses and their owners on Thursday, Sept 1. The lawsuit claims that these companies placed calls and sent invoices designed to trick Iowa libraries and businesses into paying unusually high prices for photocopier toner they never ordered. The lawsuit names Central Supply Solution of Orange, Calif., owned by Brittany Hertsch, Elite Supplies in Irvine, Calif., owned by Krystle Lester and Central Supply Center of Orange, Calif., owned by Sandra Steinmetz, for allegedly operating a “toner pirate” scheme. They function by contacting a business and creating the impression they are the primary supplier of toner for the company. The caller gathers information about the company and uses that information to send invoices fraudulently. The Attorney General’s Office suggest that staff should be periodically reminded how toner pirates operate. For more information or to file a complaint, contact the Consumer Protection Division at 515-281-5926, or by following the link below.
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www.IowaAttorneyGeneral.gov