The invoice looks very legitimate. It features the name Yellow Page-Nova Scotia.com, for example, and includes a logo of a telephone receiver. Businesses are misled by the name and logo and think they are dealing with the legitimate organization that distributes local telephone books and Yellow Pages directories. The invoice states that the company owes a debt for an ad that they never agreed to in the first place or may have been tricked into signing up for last year.
Jill Atkinson is the Director of Communications for the Better Business Bureau..
The BBB suggests the following tips:
1. Read the fine print of any solicitation you receive so that you understand what you are agreeing to.
2. Take the time to check with the company to verify that they actually sent the invoice especially if it is delivered by a different method. i.e Fax vrs mail or email.
3. Always review invoices and bills before paying and confirm that you or someone in your company has agreed to the purchase.
If you have received one of these invoices, you can report it to the following:
Better Business Bureau –www.atlanticprovinces.bbb.org
The Competition Bureau 1-800-348-5358
Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre 1-888-495-8501
Your local police of RCMP division
