The Dangers of Directory Scams
Complaints against directory scams are rising across Europe. It is important that everyone in your organisation is aware of the danger and the pitfalls of signing up to one of the seemingly ‘free listings,’ in their directory.
How do they work?
Forms are sent out – the largest distributes 6 million forms annually requesting updated business details to be entered into a directory. The form is designed to make the service appear free, however often in the small print is the detail that it is a three year contract costing around £800.
Further information
For further information and a short video detailing the scam, please Click Here
For information on the scams, what the European Parliament is doing to stop them, and what to do if you have been a victim please visit
www.richardcorbett.org.uk/directoryscams.htm
Source: www.richardcorbett.org.uk/directoryscams.htm
How To Spot a Directory Scam
Click here to view an example of a Directory Scam
Publishing Scams
Another version of this is the ‘Publishing Scams,’ whereby companies are asked to place an advert on a charity wall planner, in educational material to go into a school or to tie in with a magazine for the emergency services. This scam is generally operated over the telephone, and victims are told that the associated charity or organisation will receive a donation. These donations are tiny in comparison to the amounts raised. Victims who did not understand they were expected to pay for the service, are taken through a series of increasingly threatening phone calls asking for payment and threatening court action if they do not pay.
For further information, including a list of do’s and don’ts, please visit http://www.insolvency.gov.uk/cib/scams.htm