If it happened once, it could happen again. According to media accounts, three South Florida residents pleaded guilty last week to running scam that bilked elderly homeowners out of $1 million for special toilet paper that would protect their septic systems. Three more suspects are awaiting trial in the case involving a company called FBK Products. Read about the convictions here:

http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/11/26/2519664/south-florida-toilet-paper-scam.html

The scam artists targeted elderly homeowners, calling and telling them the company was affiliated with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. They sold the victims a $199 septic treatment product, including specially formulated toilet paper, to prevent damage to their systems. According to federal prosecutors, some victims purchased 70 years worth of the toilet paper.

If one group of criminals hatched this idea, it’s likely that someone else is trying it too. Have you told your customers to watch out for scammers who may try to sell them these bogus products by phone? More and more, pumpers tell me about the critical importance of customer education, and this seems like a good opportunity to help the consumers you serve with a word of warning.

I’d like to hear from you. Drop me a line at editor@pumper.com or respond directly to this blog post below.