[singlepic id=227 w=320 h=240 float=left]Queensland companies are being targeted by scammers operating under a similar name to a trusted and well established Australian brand, Yellow Pages.
Member for Mulgrave Curtis Pitt said Queensland companies are being threatened for final settlement of outstanding fees for registration and services they never purchased nor agreed to purchase from these scammers.
“The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has received 27 complaints since May 2010 about the scam Yellow Page – Queensland, and has already made enquiries into the matter,” Mr Pitt said.
“Fair Trading has found the business is located in the UK, but the website is owned in the Netherlands.
“Yellow Page – Queensland is just one of the names this business is operating under and Queensland companies are being sent false debt collection notices under the ‘Yellow Page’ letter head which has similar brand and logo characteristics to the legitimate Yellow Pages company.
“The legitimate Yellow Pages logo shows fingers walking, however the other logo features the fingers walking upside down and companies can be caught out if they don’t take notice of these slight changes,” Mr Pitt said.
“As many businesses use Yellow Pages in some capacity, the scam can easily mislead organisations into thinking they are dealing with the credible company.
“Yellow Page has no affiliation to Yellow Pages, owned by Sensis and the Telstra Corporation which is a legitimate operator of the Yellow Pages business directory.”
“The OFT website provides information to Queensland companies about how they can protect their businesses from scams and becoming fraud victims,” Mr Pitt said.
Mr Pitt says Queensland companies need to be diligent and be aware of the following signs to detect scams:
- sellers demanding a quick payment
- the trader refuses to send you information, or delays doing so
- the trader tells you that someone else in your office approved a payment
- you cannot recall dealing with the trader before, yet they insist you have.
“It is important you do your research if you are uncertain about the company you are dealing with.
“Check to see if the company is registered through the Australian Business Register website to ensure you are dealing with a valid Australian business.
“Ensure your organisation has clear purchasing policies and procedures in place along with proper record keeping of vendors and purchases with vendors.
“If you think something doesn’t seem right, it probably isn’t.”
For more information about scams visit www.SCAMwatch.gov.au or to lodge a complaint visit www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au or call 13 13 04.
For more information on this scam, contact the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) on 1300 302 502.
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