An email arrived this morning from the "World Business Directory" with an attatched pdf form to encourage business owners to "update their details".
This appears to be yet another version of a scam that attempts to deceive businesses and have them sign and return documents for a service that they do not wish to purchase.
What are you signing for when you update your directory listing?...well in the small print:
"I HEREBY ORDER A SUBSCRIPTION WITH SERVICE PROVIDER EU BUSINESS SERVICES LTD “WORLD BUSINESS DIRECTORY”. I WILL HAVE AN INSERTION INTO ITS DATA BASE FOR THREE YEARS. THE PRICE PER YEAR IS GBP 880".
How many businesses have signed these forms? Believe it or not, quite a few. In the motel industry, a third of our operators have 12-months or less experience and many of these green operators want to do the right thing and promote their fledgling business. I have also heard of quite a few experienced operators being caught out. Many will sign and only a few will admit, once they realise they have been caught out!
Assuming Modus Operandi is the same as for the other companies, those who sign this form in error can expect:
- Sometime after you signed you will receive a confirmation of your 'order', almost certainly this will arrive after short 'cooling off' period has expired
- Reminders to sent within months
- Account will be handed over to a law firm or collection agency who will insist on payment.
- Eventual abandonment of accounts where people steadfastly refuse to pay
http://www.stopecg.org/world_business_directory.htm
I suggest that the email is deleted and forgotten with the rest of the spam that is cluttering up our in-boxes....
