Small businesses warned of directory scams targeting Dublin based SMEs. The scam involves misleading contracts.
Companies are targeted using various media, business may receive an email, fax or letter asking companies to sign up to a ‘free’ business directory. However the service is not free and hidden in the small print are ‘terms and conditions’ outlining that by returning the form the company is in fact entering into an expensive misleading contract. What follows is a strategy of intimidation and bullying to extract money from businesses.
The advice to all Dublin SMEs is of course (a) not to sign up in the first place and (b) in the event that you have unwittingly signed up, please just ignore their payment demands, solicitor's letters, debt collectors calls and eventually (after some considerable time and harassment) they will just go away as they know they have no legal standing.
SMEs and individuals who have been victim of the scam (or have received suspicious forms) should contact Marion (Marion@dublinchamber.ie – 01 644 7235) for further information.
The recent ISME Crime Survey 2009 confirmed that 71% of businesses had been the target of a scam in the last twelve months, an increase of 2% on 2008 figures and a massive increase of 33% on 2007 figures. Overseas offers, business directories and Lotto winnings are the three most prevalent scams being attempted.