IT Tech Products

It is against U.S. Postal Service regulations to mail a bill or invoice that is actually a solicitation unless it bears a clear disclaimer that such unsolicited invoice is for information only and not a request to pay. The best protection against phony invoices is knowledge and vigilance. Businesses should alert their bill-payers to be on the lookout for disguised solicitations; carefully review invoices from companies with which they do not normally do business; establish effective internal controls for the payment of invoices and verify all invoices with the person who gave authorization. Some solicitations could violate the law if they misrepresent information. The U.S. Postal Service requires solicitations that look like invoices bills or account statements to carry one of the following notices: ~~THIS IS NOT A BILL. THIS IS A SOLICITATION. YOU ARE UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO PAY THE AMOUNT STATED ABOVE UNLESS YOU ACCEPT THIS OFFER or THIS IS A SOLICITATION FOR AN ORDER OF GOODS OR SERVICES OR BOTH AND NOT A BILL INVOICE OR STATEMENT OF ACCOUNT DUE. YOU ARE UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO MAKE ANY PAYMENTS ON ACCOUNT OF THIS OFFER UNLESS YOU ACCEPT THIS OFFER.~~This disclaimer must be in very large (at least 30-point) type and must be in boldface capital letters in a color that contrasts prominently with the background against which it appears. The disclaimer must not be modified qualified or explained such as with the phrase ""Legal notice required by law."" It must be the one prescribed in the statute or alternatively the following notice prescribed by the U.S. Postal Service: THIS IS NOT A BILL. THIS IS A SOLICITATION. YOU ARE UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO PAY THE AMOUNT STATED ABOVE UNLESS YOU ACCEPT THIS OFFER. ~~Before you accept or pay for any merchandise that arrives under less-than-clear circumstances protect yourself by insisting on proof that an order was placed. If no proof is provided offer to return the merchandise at no cost to you. Give them a specific and reasonable amount of time (30 days etc.) to pick up the merchandise. Tell the sellers that you reserve the right to keep the merchandise or dispose of it after the specified time has passed.~ ~Under federal law you are entitled to regard unordered merchandise sent through the U.S. mail as a free gift. The same law makes it illegal to mail bills for such unordered merchandise. If you do not wish to pay for unsolicited merchandise you have three options. In each case by law you have no obligation to the sender. If you have not opened the package you may mark it ""Return to Sender "" and the Postal Service will return it with no additional postage charged to you. If you open the package and don't like what you find you may throw it away; or if you like what you find you may keep it for free. In this instance ""finders-keepers"" applies unconditionally. ~~If unordered merchandise arrives by private delivery do not accept the shipment. If you have already accepted the shipment send the shipper a certified letter with return receipt requested demanding proof of your order. If there is no valid proof inform the sender that unless the merchandise is picked up within 30 days you will dispose of it. By giving the sender an opportunity to recover the merchandise you invalidate any claim that you accepted an offer of sale merely by keeping the shipment. If an invoice for the unordered merchandise arrives withhold payment and do not use the merchandise. If the firm fails to respond to your letter or if the sender threatens you with legal action contact an attorney and your state attorney general's office. ~