Stay safe online and avoid business directory scams

There are many reputable business directory sites around.  You can very often find reputable business directories by conducting a web search and trusting the top 5 results on the first page.  Also you can search the internet for a company name you have heard of and if you conduct a page rank check you should be able to find reputable business directories.

It is best finding business directories if you wish to register with these rather than them find you - treat any unsolicited approach for your details to be entered in to a business directory with caution.

Be aware that there is what in our opinion is a  scam circulating to business emails from ‘The World Company Register’/’International Directories Group Ltd.’ Offering a free update on their Register. The devil is in the detail as there is a charge of 995 Euros (at current point in time). This charge is buried in the small print. 

The Company is completely relentless and aggressive to businesses who have fallen for this scam, in chasing the payment.  Having said that, if a company seeks to get payment from you in a way you suspect to be a scam and they don't have your card details you may be best placed to contact the police fraud department or your local citizens advice bureau for advice. 

There are more ......

An email received from the Word Business Directory reads

Date:  Sun, 05 Dec 2010
From:  Company Update 2011-2012 <[email protected]>
To:  xxx
Reply-To:  [email protected]
Subject:  Company Update 2011-2012

Ladies and Gentlemen.

In order to have your company inserted in the registry of World Businesses
for 2011/2012 edition, please print, complete and submit the enclosed
form (PDF file) to the following address:

WORLD BUSINESS GUIDE
P.O. BOX 3079
3502 GB, UTRECHT
THE NETHERLANDS

email: [email protected]
FAX: +31 (20) 203-1129

Updating is free of charge!

If you are not the intended recipient, please submit an email to
[email protected]
Your request shall be dealt with accordingly.

Although as it says updating is free of charge, the small print of the attached document ties people who sign,  to a contract to pay almost £1,000 per year for 3 years.  Be extremely wary of what you sign on the Internet or elsewhere. There is no such thing as anything free.

See also our advice on avoiding other scams in the self catering business and  advice on avoiding payment problems and staying safe in the self catering business when taking payments for bookings.

Above all take a cautious approach to stay safe online, always do your research and avoid falling for business directory scams.