Posted Tuesday, January 19, 2010
by Rosalind Scott
BBB has recently received numerous calls from local businesses stating that they are receiving unsolicited online directory advertising order forms from a company that at first glance could be misconstrued to represent the Yellow Pages. The company issuing the order form claims to be updating business directory information for YellowPage-BritishColumbia.com on behalf of Yellow Publishing Ltd. The order form includes an inverted Yellow Pages logo (an image of walking index fingers)
Businesses should be warned that this directory advertising opportunity has no affiliation with the Yellow Pages Group or with YellowPages.ca online. It also has no affiliation with YellowPages.com or the AT+T Real Yellow Pages.
To protect your business from unknowingly signing up for advertising consider the following tips:
• Stay informed on current scams and suspicious activities targeting businesses. Visit vi.bbb.org for regular updates;
• Educate your staff about this advertising ploy and other scams targeting businesses;
• Do not give out private business information without carefully confirming who you are giving it to;
• Before doing business with any company check them out locally a vi.bbb.org and internationally at bbb.org;
• Make a list of specific directories that you wish to advertise in each year and only advertise and make payments to those specific companies (watch for fake order forms and invoices!).
• If you think you’re the target of a business scam inform the BBB.