Warning follows fake invoice scam

Businesses in the Isle of Man are being warned to look out for fake invoices being circulated on the island.

The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) said many claims were for advertising on charity wall charts never actually taken out by the company.

Fraudsters hope the firms will be too busy or lax at checking orders to notice the scam, the OFT said.

Bill Henderson MHK, chairman of the OFT, said: "It is easy for businesses to be scammed like this."

'Ripped off'

The invoices warn the business that non-payment will affect its credit rating.

"When staff are busy or under pressure to get payments out to creditors checking invoices against orders can be overlooked," said Mr Henderson.

"However it is better for staff to spend the time on checking rather than the business being ripped off.

"All businesses need to be wary, this is a very simple but clever scam. Don't be pressured or tricked into paying for something you haven't requested."