As mentioned on www.crimes-of-persuasion.com and www.scamwatch.gov.au, the popular fake directory scam is still ensnaring many small businesses. Whether they’re offering an online directory or a print directory, be sure you ask plenty of questions-don’t fall victim to this pernicious scam!
If a company contacts you offering to list your company in a hot new directory-one that you’ve never heard of-it’s time to run in the other direction. This common scam has seamlessly transferred from the days of print directories into the digital age, and small businesses are still at risk of taking the bait. Whether it’s an online directory or a print listing in a trade publication, make sure that you’re actually going to get what you pay for!
Scammers frequently cold call businesses offering to list your company in their trade directory, one they have no intention of distributing widely or even compiling. Once you’ve agreed to pay for inclusion, you’re stuck. You get absolutely zero ROI because print directories are never generated and online listings never created. It’s like flushing money down the drain.
One trick these directory frauds use to hook small businesses is to approach your company as though you’ve already agreed to the directory listing. Either by submitting a false invoice-scammers LOVE these-or by calling regarding payment for the “already placed” ad, these fraudsters trick you into believing that you legitimately owe them money. Some even resort to harassing phone calls or COD letters to convince you to pay their fraudulent bills, relying on intimidation and the fear factor to wring money out of your business. But if you didn’t sign up for their directory, you have NO obligation to pay. Report them to your consumer fraud agency and the BBB, and stick with legitimate advertising agencies.
Avoid being swindled by fake directories by only working with reputable online or print directory companies-if you’ve never heard of them, don’t trust them. And if you’re contacted regarding payment for a directory listing, confirm that your company did sign up for the listing AND that the listing was placed per your agreement (verify distribution, online status, etc.) before settling the bill.
I have a friend of mine who almost gave a thousand bucks to a directory scam- I told him not to but he really was swallowing their sales pitch. Anuywyas in the end he listened to me and changed his mind.
Thanks for writing about this.
All the best,
Eren