Directory 'Renewal' Scam Warning Issued

Companies across the UK are at risk from a possible scam where telephone calls are being received asking for the renewal of an entry in an online business directory.

The often plausible calls are made from a 'number withheld' caller who will refer his contacts to a website purporting to be 'The UK Business Directory', or will use an untraceable 0845 number.

One advertising industry authority who failed to be taken in has now warned of similar attempts to defraud local companies.

He thinks they are targeting medium sizes companies, with the callers hoping to persuade their target to hand over sensitive payment details on the basis of renewing a subscription that has never existed.

"It is worrying though as it might mean they're calling our customers trying to confuse them into thinking they're renewing a listing with us," said the senior executive.

Now, it has emerged that one of the numbers suspected as being used by the scammers has led to various warnings being placed on a 'watchdog' website, showing that it is a growing UK problem which has now begun to target Northern Ireland businesses as well as those in other parts of the UK.

The site, whocallsme.com/Phone-Number.aspx/08455439508 contains comments from many innocent people who have posted warnings about the attempt to obtain money.

One such posting said: "[They] said they were from the UK business directory and the only company officially working for Google. They said I paid them £99.99 by Visa Debit and the payment for year two of the contract was overdue.

"However due to a government initiative I would now get four years extra free when I renewed and they just needed to take payment details."

Another contributor on the phone number awareness site said: "I had a call from a withheld number giving me an advertising offer at £99.99 for three years. As I was busy I said he could email me with the details and I would think about it.

"An email arrived congratulating me on the high response to my ad on their website and asking me to renew it.

"This must be a scam, because I have never used them. It was signed off: Luke Hendry, with this number, which I then searched and found similar accounts [of scamming attempts]."

Advice

The UK's Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has already a standing warning of such scams on its website and said that companies could receive a phone call, a form via the post, email, or fax appearing to offer a 'free' listing or asking if the firm wish to continue being included in a hard copy or online business directory.

"However, in the small print it will state that by signing the form you are committing to an order. If you sign and return the form you are agreeing to pay for ongoing entries in the directory, costing hundreds of pounds per year," the OFT said.

"The publisher may try to enforce this debt by sending threatening 'debt collection' letters," said the official advice, concluding: "Always carefully read the small print in any business directory offer to be clear about what you are being offered and how much it might cost you."

The Trading Standards Office (TSO) in Belfast issued a similar warning and said: "There is specific legislation relating to directory entries. The main point is that you can only be charged for entry in a trade or business directory if certain conditions have been met."

A spokesman for the Department of Enterprise, Trade & Investment's TSO continued: "Businesses must have signed an order form relating to the entry or have signed a note of agreement to the charge or they have communicated electronically that they agree to the charge which can be produced in a visible and legible form and are renewing or extending an earlier contract for entry in the directory."

The officer added: "If you are cold-called check out the business. Ask for written information or a number to call back. Check on the Internet or with Consumerline, the Trading Standards Service advice line if you're not sure [Telephone 0300 123 6262] and never disclose bank account or credit card details to someone you don't know," he said in a statement.

Meanwhile, to further complicate the issue, there is also a legitimate UK Business Directory, which has now posted a statement on its website warning of the scam.

"It has been brought to our attention that an individual has recently been contacting companies pretending to represent this and other UK business directories.

"We would like to assure you that this individual has no affiliation with the UK Business Directory nor would we ever contact companies to request any payment over the phone.

"All our transactions are handled securely through this website via PayPal to guarantee complete peace of mind.

"Should you receive any telephone or email correspondence from this individual we urge you not to make any payment or supply your credit card details," the 'official' directory owners said.

See: UK Business Directory

See: whocallsme

(BMcC/GK)