Businesses that advertise in the Yellow Pages are being targeted by a convincing fake directory scam.
Joanne Ruston, who pays Yellow Pages about $3,000 a year to list her sign shop, got caught in the scam.
Ruston received a fax from Yellow Pages Alberta offering free placement on Google's search engine. She filled in the form and faxed it back.
Ruston then received a $1500 invoice from YellowPage-Alberta.com and realized the company was not the real Yellow Pages, just one that was using a similar logo and name.
YellowPage-Alberta.com sent more invoices to Ruston and threatened to send her to debt collection.
CTV's Lea Williams-Doherty tried to contact the company, which is based in the Netherlands, but never received a response.
Yellow Pages says the company is working with the Competition Bureau to shut down the copycat company.
In the meantime, businesses and consumers who believe they have been misled should contact the Competition Bureau's information centre at 1-800-348-5358, or visit their website.
Businesses and consumers can also contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501, or visit their website.
