WASHINGTON, D.C. — Nonprofit organizations along with churches, schools and small businesses that were victims of an office supply scam will receive part of a more than $647,000 payout, according to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
The payout stems from a March 2017 settlement reached between the FTC and Liberty Supply Company, DBA Omni Services, which the FTC charges sold churches, schools and businesses low-priced office supplies with falsely quoted prices. Liberty did not reveal final prices, quantities or shipping costs, and led customers to believe their price quote was for a package of items, the FTC said.
According to the FTC, Liberty then harassed customers for payment and charged expensive shipping and restocking fees on the overpriced items that were returned.
The settlement includes Liberty being permanently banned from telemarketing and further misleading of customers with product and service sales, the FTC said.
Those affected by Liberty's fraudulent practices will receive an average refund of $517.76, according to the FTC.