Kindly note that trudon pty ltd is brand owner and publisher of the yellow pages, phone book, internet yellow pages, yellow pages mobile incl app and the talking yellow pages and is the largest supplier of directional information to south african users look ups. If you receive a yellow pages fax or email and want to confirm if it is authentic, call sensis on 23 78. Maybe you are getting a flurry of junk faxes like i am from companies pretending they are collecting on invoices due for yellow pages advertising. Legit way to opt out of yellow pages phonebook delivery. Yellow page usa scam ftc cracks down get out of debt. Yellow pages fax scam emerges in australia fax authority. While the socalled yellow pages scam comes and goes, a new group of canadabased telemarketers is now attacking u.
Mar 18, 2017 the yellow pages scam calls sound so innocent. This scam can be easy to fall for because all you have to do is fax a paper back. Obviously, its a scam, said steve green, owner of dominion pet center in arlington. Beware of yellow page phone scams against business owners. One particular scheme that is growing at a rapid rate involves the nationally renown business directory, yellow book, formerly known as yellow pages. Scammers call companies claiming to represent yellow pages or another business directory, real or fabricated. Yellow pages business directory invoice scam still continues to. Recently weve had a few calls about the yellow pages scam. Small businesses all over the nation are receiving solicitations that appear to be invoices from the local yellow page directory.
A yellow pages scam has previously targeted australian businesses. Ftc sues to halt yellow pages business directory scams. We looked into it and were advised by the police they are being investigated. Explain to your staff how scams happen and share this brochure with them. The most common issues with are around customer service, which is not as good as expected by some customers. This is the best way to manage and repair your business reputation. Knowing what this scam is all about before you fall victim and lose your hardearned money is your the. I received the fax, barely can make it out, so small. Twice in the past four months my company has received a fax and phone call from a company claiming that we bought an ad for their yellow pages. An employee accidently signed and faxed back an order form thinking it was just updating our business information. You will only receive an invoice from us if an order form was returned to yellow pages united.
Somebody calls your organization saying they simply need to confirm your contact information for a business directory. Encourage people to talk with their coworkers if they spot a scam. Later, youll get a big bill, and the scammers may use details or even a recording of the earlier call to pressure you to pay. While you may not want yellow pages united to promote your business, perhaps youre searching for a smart way to increase revenue through online marketing. Consumers want to see how a business took care of business. They still charged me and would not give me back my money.
Yellow pages logo is not ed so anyone can use it to trick you into. Yellow pages united has scammed many people out of their hardearned money. I highly recommend hibu, and dave for all your digital marketing needs. Please select a location below to find local business information in your area.
Yellow business book better business bureau profile. Has your office encountered the online yellow pages scam. Yellow pages business directory invoice scam still continues. A number of departments have reported receiving invoices for yellow business book publications. Apr 02, 20 i just received a fax with a bogus fingers to the walking symbol and the heading of yellow with free submission to. This is an example of a genuine advertising service anything else is liable to be a. How giving your contact info to yellow page usa turns. Jan 30, 2014 yellow pages fax scam emerges in australia it appears that thousands of australian businesses are receiving faxes that look to be from yellow pages, but are actually for a competing and possibly phony directory. I have never had to deal with scammers to this degree. If youre going to to call an agent at 8009293556 be sure to read here for the best way to do it with alternatives and shortcuts. The invoices we send contain information about the order you placed with us for your online listing and searchoptimized web page, including any changes to your listing that you requested, a copy of your. Listings include name, address, phone, fax and toll free number where available.
The yellow pages or business directory scam is pretty simple and similar to many. Another one to add to the list is canadian business phone book andor great solutions. The ftc is alleging that three telemarketing agencies in canada, which did business under names like your yellow pages and onlineyellowpagestoday, used that very m. Harassing calls, threats and use of obscene language can pressurize you to the edge and moreover, a collector may embarrass you by contacting your employer or even be pursued to disburse for a debt that is not rightfully yours.
Spread the word make sure your staff are alert to how this scam works and how to protect your business see below. A phone call in which someone wishes to verify your phone book listing details. Businesses of all sizes should be on alert for fake invoices for supposed listings in the yellow pages or other business directories, which are once again increasing in frequency. And the original fax that was sent was very misleading it states this is not a bill.
If more than one yellow pages publisher distributes directories in your area, call the publishers whose books you are considering for your ad. Specifically, consumers are reporting that they are being sent invoices for services. Nj man hounded by alleged yellow pages scam from dubai, moscow. Yellow pages customer service 18779099356 if you believe you have received a fraudulent communication purporting to be from yellow pages, please notify us. Similar to a fax directory scam, this one typically involves a few phone calls. While it can be very easy to fall for this particular scam, it can also be easy to spot if you know what to do. The official website of the federal trade commission, protecting americas consumers for over 100 years. Small businesses all over the nation are receiving solicitations that appear to. We use cookies on this site to enhance the visitor experience. Jul 17, 2014 the ftc is alleging that three telemarketing agencies in canada, which did business under names like your yellow pages and onlineyellowpagestoday, used that very m. Hibu yellow book yell hibu is a rip off scam missouri. The business directory scam strikes again ftc consumer information.
Optout by using the approved websites that actually communicate with the phone book companies. Tips to protect your business from being a victim of the yellow pages scam. Scams and fraud invoices purchasing, accounts payable. Bbb files indicate that this business has a pattern of complaints concerning billing and collection issues. Scammers often target multiple people in an organization, so an alert from one employee about a scam can help prevent others from being deceived. Yellow pages business directory invoice scam still. You already know from reading above that 8003732324 is their best customer phone number overall, and we have put together a comparison of their 2 total ways to contact support for you to look at as well. Watch out for the yellow pages scam consumer protection bc. The following are some of the most common nigerian fax scams. When people disputed the invoices, the companies pointed to recordings of. It appears that thousands of australian businesses are receiving faxes that look to be from yellow pages, but are actually for a competing and possibly phony directory.
Youve probably seen the stack of sleazy fax advertisements by your company fax machine. They may ask you to provide contact information for a free listing or say the call is simply to confirm your information for an existing order. Yellow pages has partnered with thryv to share a pay what you can version of their business software. In which case we then think we are verifying our information with the yellow pages. Call your local yellow pages publisher to learn if it is associated with the company soliciting your business. Have you received vacation memos and stock tips on your company fax machine. Fraudulent yellow page listing scam beware its back. Usually these companies call us as telemarketing calls where they say that they are just calling to update your listing. They have no contract with me, nor did i approve any yellow page add with these people. Ftc obtains contempt ruling against yellow pages scam. Now, several days later your fax machine signals an incoming fax and.
The cover page of the fax says factoring in bold letters and its from sarah richmond. The invoice has a yellow pages logo, website, email, and a 1800 phone number to call with questions. Yellow marketing ltd yellow pages fax scam question i work at a small vet in rhode island. Information about yellow holding ltd was first submitted to scambook on nov 22, 20. These are typically calls from telemarketers autofax programs. Links to scam web pages have been removed and spaces have been added to email addresses to ensure they do not become hyperlinks. If you wish to advertise your business in such a directory, be sure to call the local yellow book agency in your area and speak with a representative. Official paperwork scam hits michigan small businesses. In april 2011, the accc successfully prosecuted two overseas companies for sending thousands of these types of faxes to local businesses. However, the yellow pages scam is like a relentless parasite and continues to surface as recently as this week. This page was opened so the thousands of people around the country who were deceived by yellow book can share their horror stories and perhaps if we all are united enough. If you receive a threatening call, email or fax demanding payment, ignore it and report it. Yellow pages logo is not ed so anyone can use it to trick you into believing they are a reputable company. Sorting facts from fiction about yellow pages scams.
The scam gets worse aka the invoice though i myself never received a phone call from yellow pages united, i did receive their invoice. Yellow pages united even crossed out my correct phone and fax numbers. Dec 22, 2014 they call small businesses asking them to update or verify the information for their online yellow pages listing. They offer fax services under two different names, j2metrofax and fax.
When the scammer gets someone from the business on the phone, he or she will claim to be updating the directory and asks for basic information, such as the businesss address, telephone number and email. In most cases, a rep will meet with you directly to discuss a legitimate contract. Share information about this scam with your colleagues and friends, helping them learn to spot this type of fraud. However, the yellow pages scam is like a relentless parasite and. Dont waste your time and money on a yellow pages type advertisement when there are much better, totally free, biz listing services that allow. Whether you are in the usa or canada the approved websites we have listed below will help you to.
In faxback scams, an unsolicited fax comes in offering amazing deals and discounts on office supplies, landscaping, directoriesjust about anything. Yellow pages scam targets small businesses restaurant. As recently as this summer, the news was littered with stories of the ftcs successful shut down of a major yellow pages scam operation that evolved to the us out of canada and australia. Most recently, on august 7, 2014, the ftc filed suit against your yellow book for faxing documents resembling invoices with the walking. The scammer isnt actually yellow pages at all, but a fraudster out to get money. Dont waste your time and money on a yellow pages type advertisement when there are. I just received a fax with a bogus fingers to the walking symbol and the heading of yellow with free submission to. This form of nigerian scam involves either a phony order for goods or services or some other business offer including investing in a red hot new market prospect.
Unfortunately, it was one of the yellow pages scams and was very very apparent. Jun 22, 2010 sending them black faxes would work but they are using voip thats why there numbers come up funny so they are prob using fax software not reg fax machines all your gonna end up doing is wasting your own time. Ftc returns money to consumers in online yellow pages scam. In other words, if you ever receive a phone call from someone asking to verify your phone book or online yellow pages listing, hang up immediately. Link to information from the better business bureau. The following fax facsimile scams were reported to us and are listed below to help you avoid them. The business directory scam strikes again ftc consumer. Mar 05, 2010 has your office encountered the online yellow pages scam. Then they ask for my fax which i refuse to give them. Yellow marketing ltd yellow pages fax scam question. This and other fake invoices are designed to trick companies into. The top of their fax has the logo at right, a clear knockoff of the actual yellowpages logo at left. While this is the most recent yellow pages ad scam, other types of phonebook and business directory listing scams have surfaced in recent years. Make sure you check for their contact information, complaint history.
According to the ftc, the scam didnt always stop with the invoice. On of the faxes i get regularly is from yellow page usa, which is actually located in dubai, uae. Responded scam business masquerading as telkom directory. This company is a scam, yellow holding is not the yellow pages.
There is one legit way to save a tree and stop yellow pages delivery. The con usually begins with a phone call, though mail, email, and fax are. The yellow book hibu and their representation put on a dog and pony show that not only confused the. This is an example of a genuine advertising service anything else is liable to be a scam. You should first do your homework each time you receive an. They call small businesses asking them to update or verify the information for their online yellow pages listing. Both customer services told me that a refund was not applicable. Small businesses beware yellow pages directory scam.
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