If you have been caught by this scam, never fear, you can fight back and here's how!
What's the business directory scam?
You receive a call asking to "update" or "confirm" your listing in their directory. Typically, they will make it sound like you have already requested the listing, or have had a listing with them in the past. In our case, they had all of our business information and used that to make it seem like we had already been listed with them in the past. Some time may pass and you will likely forget that you "confirmed" your information with them. Then, one day, you will receive a massive, phone-book type directory, that may or may not contain your listing, (usually not) sometimes accompanied by a CD directory, and then even later, an "invoice" for up to hundreds of dollars! Typically, you will then start receiving collections letters and aggressive calls demanding payment!
What do I do?
1. Do NOT under any circumstances send these people money!
You are NOT obligated to pay for services
that you did not request or that you were tricked into accepting. You are also
not obligated to pay for these when their services are of dubious value to you
and you are being harassed into paying their "invoice" to avoid a mark on your
credit report.
If you have "confirmed your address" with them already, and you end up receiving
a book you did not want or intend to order, remember that
Title 39, Section 3009 of the U.S. Code says that
you are under no obligation to either pay for it or even to return it to the
publisher.
However, in my experience, Target
Publications got around
the above regulation in two ways.
A. They did not send the invoice WITH the directory, it was sent separately.
B. They sent the directory via a private shipper (FedEx or UPS, I don't recall)
and thus got around the regulation which only applies to material mailed via
USPS.
Thusly DO NOT sign for or accept
packages coming from anyone that you are not
expecting a package from, especially if it is about "large phone book" size.
If they claim that they have a recording of the order, INSIST on listening to it. If you have a purchase order system, demand to know what the P.O. number is. Better yet, hang up and skip to the next step.
2. File a complaint with the Upstate New York BBB.
Here is the link to Target Publications' file at the BBB
If you have already contacted Target Publications directly to try and resolve the issue, then your complaint will be more effective. Keep a record of who you spoke to and what was said. Then go file your complaint. In our experience, very little progress was made through contacting the company, however the minute we filed a complaint, the matter was dropped completely.
Remember not to give in to their aggressive tactics demanding money!
3. IF YOU HAVE SENT TARGET PUBLICATIONS MONEY - ASK FOR A REFUND!!!!
You as a consumer are protected even after
the fact. If you don't feel that you have gotten your money's worth from your
"listing" - call them and DEMAND your money back!!!
THEN File a
complaint with the BBB.
4. Spread the word!!
Many people are embarrassed to admit that they have been taken by these hucksters, however, if we don't spread the word about scams such as these, they will go right on preying on unsuspecting businesses. I have seen one of their so-called directories, and if even half of the businesses listed in there have paid for their listing on an annual basis, then some scumbag is getting very very rich off this scam. The BBB has requested information from Target Publications about the distribution of the directory, and the names of 10 satisfied customers. Guess what? They didn't even get a response! That tells me that out of the thousands upon hundreds of thousands of listings, very few people are happy about getting scammed in this manner. So, share this information with your local business networks, email your friends and link back to this page, or build your own! Let's take this revenue stream away from the scumbags and keep our hard-earned money in our own pockets!!
Do you have a story about dealing with Target Publications or a similar scam? Email us! targetscam () inflatablepromotions.com
Links to other relevant pages
Business Directory Scam thread at SPAMcop
A Similar Scam in Europe | StopECG.org
INCOLSA-L: ALERT! Business Directory Scam Is Back
What the BBB has to say about
the Business Directory SCAM:
The following is Better Business Bureau general advice:
The Better Business Bureau has received many complaints from
businesses against companies that sell business directories (in book, CD-ROM or
online versions) regarding their selling practices. The firms who complain
report that their business was billed for a directory listing which was never
ordered, or that sales personnel lead them to believe they were renewing
advertising in the directory.
To distinguish a reputable directory from those of little value or no value,
the Better Business Bureau suggests the following tips:
* Before agreeing to anything, check with your local library. The public
library will stock well-known and useful general directories and can
advise you about its knowledge of the volume
in question.
* Also, the reputation of professional and business directories may be checked
with relevant trade associations. Ask the solicitor if they belong to any
nationally recognized trade association and check them out.
* Ask questions. A reputable company will be willing to tell and prove to you
who subscribes to its publication and the number of volumes published in past
years.
* If they indicate distribution to federal or local government agencies, ask for
references by a contact name, agency, address and phone number of any local
agencies.
* If the subscribers to the directory are mainly limited to those whose names
appear in it, you can logically infer that it is, in fact, a vanity publication
for the self-aggrandizement of those listed.
* Contact your Better Business Bureau for a reliability report on the company.
When considering advertising in a business directory, insist on verifiable
circulation figures, details of publication dates, name(s) of publishers, number
of paid subscribers, and sample copies. If they provide you with a sample copy,
call some of the local advertisers in your industry to see if their ads were
successful in getting business.
How to Protect Your Business
* The best protection is knowledge and vigilance. Your company's accounting
department, or the individuals responsible for paying bills, should carefully
review all invoices, particularly those
from unfamiliar companies.
* Never place an order over the telephone, unless there is no doubt that the
firm you are dealing with is reputable. Obtain the organization's name, address,
and telephone number, as well as
its representative's full name and position. Then check on the company's
reliability with your local Better Business Bureau.
* Establish effective internal controls for the payment of invoices.
* Channel all bills through one department.
* Insist that employees fill out pre-numbered purchase orders for every order
placed.
* Check all invoices against purchase orders and against goods or services
received. Make certain that order numbers correspond with the invoices.
* Verify all invoices with the person who gave written or verbal authorization.
* Clear all invoices with the appropriate executives.
* If the invoicing company claims to have tape recordings of the order and
verification calls, insist on hearing them.
Consumers who wish to file a complaint can contact the Federal Trade Commission
at 877-382-4357 and Phonebusters for Canadian companies, by calling
888-495-8501. (Phonebusters is
the national deceptive telemarketing call center operated by the Ontario,
Canada, Provincial Police.)
The Better Business Bureau provides this general information; along with over
100 other alerts that help consumers make better buying decisions. Check them
out for free on our web site at
www.upstateny.bbb.org
Other companies known to operate similar hustles:
DataNet Communications, Plattburgh, N.Y.
Datatech Communications, Albuquerque, N.M., Champlain, N.Y.
Datatel Publications, Swanton, Vt.
Direct Data Market Research, Ogdensburg, N.Y.
Ecom 411, Champlain, N.Y.
E. Source Data Solutions, Champlain, N.Y.
IBI-International Business Index, Atlanta, Ga., and Denver, Colo.
Infobiz USA, Plattsburgh, N.Y.
Infochase, Champlain, N.Y.
Infocom USA, Pilot Mountain, N.C.
Infogroup Data, Champlain, N.Y.
Infomatika, Champlain, N.Y.
Info Direct Publications, Champlain, N.Y.
Information USA, Peru, N.Y.
Matrix Data Index, Champlain, N.Y.
Mayrand, Inc., Champlain, N.Y.
MDSC Publishing, Cote St. Luc, Quebec
Nationwide Data Publishers, Lantana, Fla.
National Info-tech Center, Plattsburgh, N.Y.
New-Data Publications, Champlain, N.Y.
Professional Data Systems, Plattsburgh, N.Y.
Source Data Solutions, Champlain, N.Y.
Statewide CD Publications, Grafton, Wis.
Target Publications, Ansonia, Conn., Champlain, NY
Teleglobe Direct, Rouse Point, N.Y.
World Data Publishers, Champlain, N.Y.
Other known scammers operating
out of upstate, N.Y.
American Information Center, Champlain, N.Y. -
Government grant information scam
Information USA, Rouses Point, N.Y. - Advance Fee Scam preying on senior
citizens
Infosource Direct, Niagara Falls, N.Y. - advance fee scam
This page is a service to the business community. We are simply sharing our experiences with how to beat this scam. We have run into many people that have been burned by this or similar schemes and thought it was about time someone set up a page detailing what to do. If you have a story about a business directory scam, please email us at targetscam()inflatablepromotions.com.
This scam is similar to the Yellow Pages Invoice Scam, but can be more convincing to the average small business owner due to the actual delivery of a very large package.