Issued By West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service

International Yellow Pages & Fax Directories

Trading Standards Officers in West Yorkshire are today warning businesses to be on the lookout for unsolicited invoices. The invoices are for entry into an international fax directory.

West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service accounts department has received such an invoice, from International Yellow Pages & Fax Directories of the Czech Republic. The invoice states that for £354.05 West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service can have an entry on an Internet and CD-ROM based fax directory. Complaints have been received about this mailshot and similar fax directories.

Councillor Graham Clarke, Chairman of West Yorkshire Joint Services said, “Businesses need to be extra vigilant, these look like genuine invoices. It was lucky that sharp-eyed staff at Trading Standards spotted it, but this “bill” could easily have been paid.”

It should be noted that this company, International Yellow Pages & Fax Directories, could easily be confused with the company Yellow Pages, with which it has no connection. Clearly there is concern that these invoices gain credibility from the similarity in trading names.

Martin Wood, Chief Officer of West Yorkshire Trading Standards added: “If these documents had originated in the UK they would have to be clearly marked with indications that they were not demands for payment, and that there was no obligation to pay. As they originate from overseas, it is difficult to stop them and recipient companies can be misled into believing they are bills and pay them. Under no circumstances should businesses respond to the mailshot, but just bin it.”

Further information can be gained by contacting the Consumer Helpline on 0113 3848 848.

For further information contact:

Carol Hallett, General Media Contact 0113 2898 284

John Field Consumer Helpline Manager – 0113 2898238