Local Eco Pages, Inc.

This business appears to send fraudulent invoices to small businesses for online advertising and web optimization services that companies claim they never agreed to or received. The company appears to be an online directory listing scam.

Our experiences with these types of schemes are the operations deceive unsuspecting businesses into paying for fake or unauthorized Yellow Page or business directory listings. They call, email, or fax businesses claiming they are verifying information for an existing listing. Believing that the order was legitimately placed, the employee willingly gives up details such as address, phone number, or other information the caller claims is for verification purposes. 

The scammer then sends an exorbitant invoice and demands payment for a directory listing. Most often, the directories don’t even exist or are useless and are never distributed or promoted. Often, online directories are simply websites with listings of various businesses.

If the business refuses to pay, they may be threatened with debt collection or legal action. Or, they may offer the business a discount to get the business to pay something. They may even agree to cancel the listing and cease future billing, but turn around and sell the company information to another shyster that will attempt to con the business at a later date.

Ignoring unsolicited contacts offering directory assistance is probably the best course of action for a business. Instead, seek out proven and legitimate avenues that provide business listings. Verify a renewal invoice to ensure it is in fact the directory company you have an agreement with.