The EU Business Register - spam, a scam and a grand
Avid Bitterwallet reader Chris runs his own company and recently received an unsolicited email from the EU Business Register. Realising that international trade is the way of the world these days, Chris considered the invite to join the very official-sounding register and opened the application form:
We are compiling information for the EU BUSINESS REGISTER. We wish to be able to inform other EU companies about your activities. In order to list your company on the Internet for EU Businesses, just fill in and return the form.
It seemed a very straight forward process from an authentic-sounding organisation, until Chris read the small print. And it really is quite microscopic:
I HEREBY ORDER A SUBSCRIPTION WITH THE SERVICE PROVIDER EU BUSINESS SERVICES LTD. “EU BUSINESS REGISTER". I WILL HAVE AN INSERTION INTO ITS DATABASE FOR THREE YEARS. THE PRICE PER YEAR IS EURO 995. THE SUBSCRIPTION WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY EXTENDED EVERY YEAR FOR ANOTHER YEAR.
Ah. The form doesn't require any bank details which makes it easy to fill out and sign, so we'd love to hear what tactics these jokers use to come hunting for their money. And they are jokers - spamming businesses with details of non-descript services and failing to mention it costs up to a grand a year, except in print so small you'd have to be Tom Thumb to read it.
Have you had any dealings with the EU Business Register? Let us know in the comments below or email [email protected]
Thanks for the article, Indeed my company was targeted. It felt a little dodgy (unsolicited email of course) and thanks god I googled it.
They are not going to do anything legally. One legal action from their side and they will be in a clean sunlight for the proper legal securities to shut them down.
It's just many people are too scared to avoid paying because they are so afraid of some legal actions, they rather pay. This is what funds this scam business to print such nice letter and envelopes.
Just don't pay.
What if the final email I got from them today states they are starting legal proceedings and my credit history will be at risk
I have done this stupid thing too 3 months ago, haven't read a small print and have sent them this letter by mail signed and sealed (. Then in 1 month I have received by mail the invoice for payment for 995 euros. And quite recently I have received the e-mail with the increased amount of debt of 1129 euros and with threats that at failure to pay this debt they will insist on collectors, lawyers, court... I won't pay, and tomorrow I will go to police to write the application for a extortion. Many thanks to all who have written about these swindlers here! Forewarned is forearmed.
Thank you for all this valuable information, I haver also been fooled by these swindlers. Have they taken legal action towards anyone of you, and what was the result?
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