Local News
Businesses warn others about questionable billing invoices 
06:43 PM CST on Thursday, November 15, 2007
There is a new warning about billing invoices being mailed to several businesses. You may be paying for something you didn't agree to.
It happened to Michael George after he got a strange call.
The man on the phone claimed George's Jonesboro, Arkansas company owed them money for an ad.
"He kept on saying, 'You don’t want to honor the commitment you made for this advertising?' I was like, 'We didn't authorize any advertising,'" said George.
An invoice was faxed from a business called the “Sheriff's Journal” -- a $275 bill, similar to a bill sent to a company in Raleigh, North Carolina. Payments were to be sent to an Austin address.
Steve Westbrook is Executive Director for the Texas Sheriff's Association says his organization dose not publish anything called the “Sheriff’s Journal” and has not sent out any of the bills in question.
"None whatsoever," said Westbrook.
For those who may get a bill, he has a warning.
"Don’t give money to anyone that just calls. Check them out," Westbrook said. "There are some legitimate organizations that do telemarketing, but be sure to check them out."
The Austin mailing address for the “Sheriff's Journal” is located in a UPS store on 13th Street. There is no office, only box number 217. The mail drop box is in the same building with a law enforcement group, the Texas District and County Attorney's Association.
On the bill, there is an 800 phone number to call. I spoke to an operator who told me the company is located in Houston. A supervisor, who identified himself as J.D. Thompson, said they are doing nothing wrong. He could not tell me how many magazines have been published, although he said they made issues between January and March. He did say all invoices are based on agreements made over the phone. Michael George has asked for more specifics and says he was told the person who authorized the billing to his business no longer worked for the “Sheriff’s Journal.” When I asked J.D. Thompson how he could provide an advertisement order was made by George or any other company they bill, he said those who dispute their claim don’t have to pay.
“They are creating something in the past and just counting on you not remembering," said George. “It makes me kind of mad that anyone has got the gall to even try to do that."
According to an alert from the Texas Attorney General, don’t pay for something you didn't order. If you have received one of these bills you are asked to file a complaint with the Attorney General’s Office.
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