GINCC Member Alert: Beware of Apparent Scam

Member Alert

YELLOW LOCAL DIRECTORY SCAM

Within the past week two member businesses have sought GINCC’s assistance in dealing with a telemarketing concern that identified itself as YELLOW LOCAL DIRECTORY based in Moers, New York. In both cases the business owners have received repeated calls from the Yellow Local Directory “Collections Department” demanding payment immediately of $499 to avoid having the account sent to a third party collection agency. Neither business had signed any contracts with Yellow Local Directory although they were both told that they were liable for the debt because Yellow Local Directory had recorded a single telephone conversation that constituted a binding verbal contract.

Your GINCC has contacted Ishpeming Chief of Police, Dan Willey about this matter and it is our belief that this company has no legal basis for collection of a debt based on a dubious “verbal agreement.”

Upon further research we found this company has been reported seven times in the last month to the Better Business Bureau.  These complaints were regarding billing/collection issues as well as advertising/sales issues.

We invite our members who have had any similar dealings with Yellow Local Directory to contact the Chamber office and urge all to be on the alert for calls to your business from this entity.