Business Watchdog

Bogus Amazon.com Order Emails

Watchdog — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 15:10:18 +0000

Look out for emails supposedly from Amazon.com about your recent order. It’s a very Amazon like email but disguises itself with this email address – australia@lmhint.net – renowned for sending spam. If you click the links to Visit Your Account or Check Your Order you will be directed to a Russian web site. You’ll probably be taken to a cloned Amazon log-in page where you’ll enter your password, etc. Be warned!!

Facebook Advertising

Watchdog — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 08:21:41 +0000

Facebook offers access to a huge market place. It may be just what you need. Within 5 days we know one advert had 200,000 impressions so it may help to raise brand awareness. Click throughs about 20; business – none so far.
Be aware that some companies are now phoning round offering to manage your Facebook advertising. Even with the above information they still tried to push their service – £69.00 a month. It’s easy to do yourself in a matter of minutes so why pay someone else? This could end up causing the same grief as those selling Google Adwords.

Beware Yellow Pages & Yell Scams

Watchdog — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 16:26:00 +0000

Trading Standards, together with Yell, have issued a warning to businesses – both in the local area and throughout the UK – over companies impersonating Yell’s products and services, particularly Yellow Pages and Yell.com.
Three scams have come to light that mislead Yell customers into signing up to fake advertising contracts which result in repeated requests for payment. Most customers are duped into thinking they are taking out or renewing existing Yell advertising.
Order forms are sent by e-mail or fax and contain lookalike “Yellow Pages” branding. Customers who return the form subsequently receive invoices and requests for payment.

Some businesses have received threatening telephone calls. In one instance, scammers have even set up a copycat website resembling Yell.com.
The scams are sophisticated and run by complex overseas networks. Yell customers should be particularly alert to any correspondence they receive containing contact details based in Holland or Germany.

Some of the names to beware of are:

· Yellow Page UK or Yellow Page AG, which displays an inverted “walking fingers” logo
· Yellow Pages 24
· UK Yellow Guide

Yell’s lawyers have recently sent a warning letter to The UK Yellow Guide, warning them regarding possible civil & criminal liability.

The fake emails and websites look very much like the genuine article. If you have any doubts, please contact your local Trading Standards Service.

This is a copy of material published on Leicestershire Trading Standards web site

More UK Yellow Guide information here

CMYK Group in Administration

Watchdog — Tue, 18 May 2010 08:58:35 +0000

We have been advised that the CMYK Group goes into administration today. This follows the loss of a recent court case and steady pressure from various groups of people around the country who mounted strong opposition to their sales techniques. So full credit to those who were determined not to give in, despite being told they had signed a contract. But every business needs to remain alert as similar business models pop up all the time and often rely on us agreeing to a scheme that is not supported by the contract we sign. Always, always read the contract – and if there isn’t one, as often happens over the phone, politely tell them to go away. And if that doesn’t work – just hang up.
Important update here – www.cmyk-conned.us

Premium Solutions UK Ltd

Watchdog — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 15:17:59 +0000

We have had someone contact us about about their experiences with this company – yet another Google ads company based in Barrow-in-Furness. Have you used them? Have you found them helpful? Have they managed to avoid some of the criticisms aimed at similar companies?

Yellow Pages 24

Watchdog — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:57:52 +0000

Just received this from one of our readers:

After a couple of very rude telephone calls from someone called Christopher at “The Yellow Pages 24” today, I have received faxes from Christopher at “Yellow Pages 24” and “City Map” (same company). The faxes are looking for an authorised signature to stop our listing being cancelled. We are certainly not signing any of these documents and would not be fooled by these sharks.

More on this here – http://www.citylocal.co.uk/Cornwall/news-in-Cornwall/Schools-targeted-by-Yellow-pages-directory-scam-48164/

http://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/yourcouncil/pressoffice/pressreleases/2009/11/2602.htm

Interestingly Trading Standards offer the following advice on all of these scams:
“Anyone receiving contact from these traders or similar should ignore any order forms and should not pay any invoices. Instead they should contact Trading Standards urgently for advice.”

Copyright on Images

Watchdog — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 16:39:54 +0000

You may have noticed that I have changed the images at the top of this page. These were declared to be licenced for use by me, as the purchaser, on any web site I build. However, there is a storm raging on the FSB Forum as many web designers have used photos they thought were free to use. They have been sent invoices for Thousands of Pounds by Photo Libraries such as Getty Imaging and Corbis. The photos were not copyright free. Nothing on the web is free to use and someone somewhere owns the copyright.

Never ever use any images you find on the web. Some photographers place images with the big boys. They might also place them on Flickr or a low-cost library. You use it legitimately, you think, and then find Getty Images on your back. Make sure you know who owns the copyright and get permission before you use anything. So my legal to use photos have gone – just in case – and been replaced by one I took on my own camera.

If you engage a third party to build a web site for your business, or buy an off-the-shelf template, can you be 100% satisfied that the images used in the design are being used legally? Many templates are designed in USA, India or Russia using images obtained from who knows where. If you can’t get the photos you need, get someone to take them or buy them from reputable sources with the correct licence. Otherwise you could end up with that dreaded invoice.

Shield Marketing International

Watchdog — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 10:37:58 +0000

Just had a long conversation with a young lady from this company. They may well offer the type of service you require. I was told this company was “legally licensed by Google” to sell positions on Google and other search engines. They buy these licenses and can therefore sell these top positions. What they are in fact selling are the sponsored links at the top of the Google page. Why can’t they simply say that? There is no shame in offering such a service to those who don’t know what to do themselves. Cost: £299.00 set-up plus VAT then £99.00 a month for a minimum of 12 months. What she had not done was check the current position of the site she was phoning about – it’s already number 2. Check them out for yourself - http://www.shieldmarketing.co.uk/

Update 15th April: Those of you have been following this thread will be aware that Shield has come in for a lot of stick, despite a number of positive posts from satisfied clients. But credit where credit is due. Mark has made a sterling effort to deal with client problems. He has been true to his word and with his team appear to be resolving issues. If you wish to post a complaint, please avoid abusive comments and stick to facts. Things do go wrong at times but we can’t fault Shield for the recent efforts they have made and we are pleased that we have been able to provide a vehicle for dialogue.

World Business Guide

Watchdog — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 08:22:12 +0000

Ladies and Gentlemen.
In order to have your company inserted in the registry of World Businesses for 2009/2010 edition, please print, complete and submit the enclosed form (PDF file) to the following address:
WORLD BUSINESS GUIDE
P.O. Box 2021
3500 GA Utrecht
The Netherlands

I did not open the PDF but their web site outlines the terms of the contract (http://www.world-businessguide.com/terms.php). They publish a CD ROM of World Businesses and the charge for the initial 3 year contract is just under 3000 Euros. Could be just what you need, but if not, be aware that this is not free.

Update 29th August 2009. Another of these emails has been received. The pdf form offers free updates, followed by a statement saying, “Only sign if you wish to place an insertion.” Placing an insertion is charged for and this is what you are agreeing to: – I WILL HAVE AN INSERTION INTO ITS DATA BASE FOR THREE YEARS. THE PRICE PER YEAR IS EURO 995. THE SUBSCRIPTION WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY EXTENDED EVERY YEAR FOR ANOTHER YEAR, UNLESS SPECIFIC WRITTEN NOTICE IS RECEIVED….
So this offer is not for a free entry but only for free updates – after you have subscribed.

Now being targetted by office in Spain:

Dear Madam/Sir,
In order to have your company inserted into the registry of Worldwide Business Guide for 2009/2010,
please print, complete and return the enclosed form (PDF file) to the following address:
Worldwide Business Guide (WWBIZG)
Apartado 3054,
29649, Sitio de Calahonda,
Mijas Costa, Málaga, España.

Search Engine Easy

Watchdog — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 14:24:02 +0000

This company call saying they represent Google. Very much doubt it. But they have a search engine service called Google Easy which they say is “a new online marketing strategy from Search Engine Easy. We will identify your businesses five most important keywords, and within 48 hours they will be listed on page one of Google – the UK’s most popular search engine. That’s it. No contracts, no lengthy processes, just quick, easy and effective online marketing.” They promise a lot and may well deliver – but at £89.00 a month you may find there are cheaper options. Once again they did not check before phoning and the site they phoned about is already in the top 3.
My understanding is that this company will manage your Adwords campaign. But you can do this yourself.

This company declare they are a Google Adwords Qualified Company. We can find no record of them on the UK or Ireland list of approved companies. S E Easy Ltd is registered in Ireland. http://www.whoisagap.com/individuals/united-kingdom.html