Yellow Pages shady online billing practices
I just got this bulk mailing from Yellow Pages via snail mail. It has one of my companies name, address, and telephone number (which is completely wrong) and says: Check one — O List as shown O List with changes or additions. Then you sign your name and stick it back in the mailbox.
Oh, whats this in the fine print?
“This offer is for a featured advertising listing in BPLLC’s online yellow pages directory, brightpages.com. Reach thousands of potential new customers with priority placement, enhanced search engine visibility, and the ability to list additional information such as a map to your location, a link to your website, your fax number, your toll-free number, or your email address. The listing fee for this service is $77 per month-billed quarterly.”
Might as well spend that $924 a year at Ask.com.
I would say that the yellow pages have another 10 years or so before they are made completely obsolete by the major search engines (local search). Could explain why they use such shady tactics.
Comment by Capitalist Pig — January 9, 2007 @ 2:39 pm
I think you are right. The sad thing for them is if they would have made the right moves 13 years ago, they would be in great shape right now.
Comment by Andrew Johnson — January 10, 2007 @ 4:30 am
I guess hindsight is always 20/20
Comment by John — January 10, 2007 @ 8:22 am
Actually the Major Yellow Pages companies have joined the local search market some years ago. For Instance the New AT&T is partnered with Yahoo, Google, and many more. They sell local placement on these search engines, also they own Yellowpages.com which is one of the leading Internet Yellow pages providers in the U.S.
Comment by Andrew — January 23, 2007 @ 1:52 pm
The whole thing is a scam! A staff member of my non-profit inadvertantly signed up for this service thinking that she was just updating our address in the local printed Yellow Pages. The internet company that does this, Brightpages.com, bills quarterly, so I recently got an unexpected bill for $231.00! Before calling to dispute the bill, I went to the Brightpages website just to see how it works. It turned out that after many different searches for our organization name it always came back with “Sorry, we did not find anything for your search.” I printed out these results to have a record of them. When I called to complain, they gave me the usual spiel about not having read the fine print. But when I then said their website doesn’t list anything at all about my organization, the person I was speaking with replied without further argument, “You may disregard the bill.” I told her I wanted that in writing, so she faxed it to me that day. What a scam!
Comment by Dave — February 2, 2007 @ 12:00 pm
I also was duped into signing up for Bright Pages.
I was so shocked by the bill I thought perhaps my signature was stolen because I would never sign up for anything with out permission from my supervisor. It could have cost me my job and it did cost me embarrassment because I swore that I did not sign any contract.
When I was presented with a fax of my signature I felt sick…
Thank goodness for these other complaints taking a bit of the sting out my mistake.
Lesson learned “never sign anything!”
When I called the 800 # I exclaimed that I felt I was part of a scam. The reply was “okay , disregard the
bill”.
Clearly they hope innocent resonsible workers will feel obligated to pay at least one time. My signature was in July and our non profit agency just got a bill in Feb. for $231.00!
I hope this helps others who were scammed as well!
Comment by Kate — February 10, 2007 @ 9:39 am
Thank you to those that wrote in!! I also received a postcard with an incorrect address. Thinking I was correcting the local phone book I corrected the address and dropped it in the mail. One month later I rec’d a bill for $231.00. I called that day, got an answering machine, left a message to cancel - explained that I would not be paying. I drafted a letter, faxed & mailed, to cancel (November 21,2006). Today (Feb 23,2007) I got a phone call looking for our address (we had moved) so they could send an invoice for the past year - what a joke. The site has NO information that is correct - how could this possibly help my business?? - BEWARE!!
Comment by Mary — February 23, 2007 @ 11:41 am
I got the same $231.00 bill from brightpages my wife had the check ready to be mailed out when i caught it. The bill looks just like my real Yellow Pages bill so she never even noticed. I also recived the same scam from “Yellow Pages United” for $296.00 the same exact type of deal so watch them also.
Comment by shane — March 8, 2007 @ 12:12 pm
I reported this company to the BBB last year and they are still sending me stuff. I just recieved the same snail mail as everyone else. It has the let the fingers do the walking logo and it even says “this is not a bill,” When you turn it over and read the fine print that is where you discover who they really are. SHADY!
Comment by Anthony — March 15, 2007 @ 12:53 pm
Brightpages got me to fill out their form too. Complete BS, I couldn’t even find my company on that joke they call a website. No services had been rendered so I faxed a cancel letter and notified them the bill would not be paid. I wonder how much they steal from unsuspecting businesses each month.
Comment by Nick — April 12, 2007 @ 1:07 pm
We got our first solicitation from YellowpagesUnited.com we thought that it was with our local phone book and that it was free so we signed their card and sent it in. Four months later we got billed so I disputed it and they promised to cancel the account and gave me a cancelation number. Four months later we get the same looking bill saying we are now past due only this time it was from Brightpages.com with a new account number on it claiming that we had an account number with them! I emailed Yellowpagesunited or United-directories again and was assured that I had no account with them and I wouldn’t get another bill. Wrong! I got another one yesterday from Brightpages so now I’m getting with the Attorney General’s Office and the Better Business Bureau!! Beware People! These people are scam artists!
Comment by Ann — June 25, 2007 @ 8:17 am
Yep !,it’s a total scam, and is costing businesses millions ! It purports to show my signature as an indicator for accts.payable to send a check. If any of you notice, you will likely not see a date on the form, although every signature I have made in official capacity HAS ONE… The date has been cleverly removed to convince one writing the checks that it is current. That is just one example of the trickery thius company has gone to in foisting this scam !!It would be very interesting for a reader that is practicing law to take this on as a class-action lawsuit. (I would gladly testify .
While I do not remember ever signing an order with cost involved with this company, I can guarantee that no such order has been signed in the last 5 years, and NEVER as the company shown on the Bill/offering. The letter sent on the 21st of June appeared to be a bill for services for only the last two months,showing one month “Past due”. It was a duplicate of the same treatment given last year, and in previous years, exhibiting that same signature over and over. When I called them a girl answered, and asked me t5o look at the reverse side to see where I had approved the offering. I assume she is not aware of what these thieves are doing… Sure would not want her job. Since thid is not easily corrected due to it’s national scale, I hope some attorney will step foreward to see if a class-action suit can be made.
Comment by RON — June 26, 2007 @ 3:01 pm
You can have a FREE list at yellowpages.com - http://www.yellowpages.com/advertising
Call yellowpages.com and ask them to shut down Brightpages.com - 1-800-343-7390
I too have received BPLLC’s scam/spam. I didn’t understand how the logo could be used as it’s so ingrained in culture.
Unfortunately, it appears that the logo wasn’t registered according to net myth.. Yellowpages.com logo is trademarked though. The yellowpages.com logo isn’t significantly different - top left. The logo you get in the mail includes a book at the bottom. Not enough in my mind to clearly distinguish the products or companies. I would associate either logo with yellowpages.com.
The text trademark was abandoned by Bellsouth in 2006.
http://tess2.uspto.gov/bin/showfield?f=doc&state=2src14.6.1
I’d invite others to contact yellowpages.com for them to take action against BPLLC / Ben Croxton
BrightPages
20 Warren St.
Apt. 2
New York City, NY 10007
US
Domain Name: BRIGHTPAGES.COM
Administrative Contact , Technical Contact :
Croxton, Ben
gdidomains@yahoo.com
20 Warren St.
Apt. 2
New York City, NY 10007
US
Phone: 877-576-1599 ext. 1254
Record expires on 01-Jan-2009
Record created on 13-Feb-2006
Database last updated on 17-Oct-2006
Domain servers in listed order: Manage DNS
NS53.WORLDNIC.COM 205.178.190.27
NS54.WORLDNIC.COM 205.178.189.27
Show underlying registry data for this record
Current Registrar: NETWORK SOLUTIONS, LLC.
IP Address: 72.32.2.141 (ARIN & RIPE IP search)
IP Location: US(UNITED STATES)-TEXAS-SAN ANTONIO
Record Type: Domain Name
Server Type: Apache 1
Lock Status: clientTransferProhibited
Web Site Status: Active
DMOZ no listings
Y! Directory: see listings
Web Site Title: Find it: BrightPages.com
Secure: No
E-commerce: Yes
Traffic Ranking: Not available
Data as of: 13-Nov-2006
Contact:
ypcsupport@yellowpages.com
m26220@att.com
adstore@lmberry.com
ypcsupport@yellowpages.com
Charles Stubbs
President and Chief Executive Officer of YELLOWPAGES.COM
http://www.yellowpages.com/contact_us/comments
Comment by Matt — September 2, 2007 @ 11:16 am
Found this page while searching for a response to this company. What worked for me:
1) Researched criminal cases against similar Yellow Page look-alikes, noted names.
2) Called State Attorney General’s Office for protocol: agreed to attempt to negotiate first.
3) Called Y.P. and asked for address to send registered letter. When “customer service” declined, advised her that I would report this refusal to Atty. Gen. Office; that believed Y.P. comnitted fraud and that she was personally aware of this…that I was simply following proscribed steps for preparing complaints to Atty. Gen. office and FCC. Blew off “If you read the contract sir” by citing intertnet evidence of other fraud claims, gently suggested clerk read criminal convictions of look-alike operators. At that point I got “Of course if you were not satisfied with our service” offer and gave her one hour to FAX me zero-ed invoice.
She did. All done. Thanks.
Comment by S Norman — November 13, 2007 @ 6:20 pm
I fell for this as well, Thought it was for Yellowpages.com
Comment by Tom Charette — December 17, 2007 @ 7:07 am
Bright pages should be shut down for unethical business practices. My bill was for $273.00…
Comment by Sarah — December 18, 2007 @ 4:57 pm
My father inadvertently “signed up” for this “service” last March (2007) and just today, January 5th (2008) got a bill. I’m calling the company up tomorrow and giving them an earful. I’ll also be informing the BBB as well as the consumer advocacy group Call for Action. Somehow, I doubt the BBB or Call for Action will be surprised at what I tell them.
Some interesting info: A blog posting from a member of site’s design agency:
http://davidcorrell.net/news/2006/net-theory-launches-bright-pages/
One of the comments to the post complains of Brightpages business practices. Someone who calls himself “Stephen Hould” posted this in response:
“Unhappy Company must not have read the solicitation. The format is clear and unambiguous. There is nothing ‘misleading’ about the solicitation and I would invite them to be specific.”
Stephen Hould, whoever you are, you must be a lawyer, and one of those slippery types who makes money by finding ambiguous spots in the law that can be exploited by businesses who are looking to make a quick buck.
I question the assessment that the format of the solicitation is “clear and unambiguous”. The design of the form has all the appearances of a verification sent by Yellow Pages. The recipient’s business name, address, and phone number are shown, with two options provided: 1) LIST AS SHOWN, and 2) LIST WITH CHANGES AND ADDITIONS. Only in the fine, fine print is there any mention that the signee is ordering a service. It would have been clearer if a third option was provided, such as 3) DO NOT SIGN ME UP. Of course, providing a third option would be a waste of time for the recipient - why should someone have to send a note declining an unsolicited offer? So, barring a third option, a clear and unambiguous solicitation would have, in large print, a checkbox saying: “YES! Sign me up for online advertising with Brightpages.com. I agree to pay $77 per month for 12 months for this service.” Better yet: in big print, on the envelope: “SIGN UP FOR ONLINE ADVERTISING”. Brightpages (B P L L C) makes credit card companies look honorable. Notice that credit card offers are often marked, in huge type, on the front of the envelope, with “0% APR”?
What a scam!
Comment by Joo — January 5, 2008 @ 6:41 pm
Call shannon at their NYC office (646) 329-7399
Comment by rastaman — January 11, 2008 @ 2:05 pm
When I first started my business and advertised in the local Yellow Book, I received my solicitation for changes to an ad that Yellow Pages United copied. It wasn’t until I contacted my local rep, that I found out that Yellow Pages United used deceptive business practices for soliciting their business. I hardly believe this is a viable contract, nothing like the contract I signed for Idearc, AT&T and Yellow Book. I at least had proofs, and legitimate language on the cost of my ad and where it was going to be published.
My latest invoice for Yellow Pages United is for $888.00. I won’t pay it, and have decided (now that they are calling to collect) to send a cease and desist letter. I am angry at myself for not knowing this was a scam, and only thought I was making changes for my current ad I had paid for. Interesting enough, the so-called changes I wrote in the small space were never published.
I just get so miffed when I get these invoices, and now a past due notice. I haven’t seen any lawsuits in two of the counties I work out of from Yellow Book for breach of contract. Has anyone been sued for the balance of the erroneous amount??
Comment by The Legal Doc — January 23, 2008 @ 2:43 pm
I have been burned by bright pages. They are a scam. I received a bill for $231.00 wrote cancel all over it, sent it back and they keep sending me bills with higher and higher amounts.
DO NOT SIGN UP FOR THIS. IT IS A SCAM
They won’t cancel your bill EVER.
They won’t stop.
Comment by burned by bp — February 11, 2008 @ 2:25 pm
Stephen Hould is exactly what you think.Run his name through Google and see for yourself.
Any lawyer arguing a hypertechnicality knows he is full of it.
What this company are doing is fraudulent. The Feds need to get involved.
Comment by shannon — February 12, 2008 @ 2:49 pm
I got sucked in by the “walking fingers” logo on the promo - thought it was an info update - and, of course, received a bill. Can’t believe I was so stupid! I know such scams exist. Called BPLC to complain and each point I made about unethical misrepresentation was met with “it’s legal.” So, I jumped on the NY Better Business Bureau web site and filed a complaint (it’s easy). They also had a record of BPLC as having an unsatisfactory record. Included was a table of complaints disposition. Surprisingly, 80 out of 83 were resolved to the satisfaction of the complainer. About two weeks later I received a letter from BPLC cancelling my account and reducing it to $0.00, but still reminding me of the legality of the promo. I also submitted a compaint to the FTC Consumer Protection Agency and wrote my congressional representative.
Comment by Ben Crawford — March 10, 2008 @ 11:54 am
Call Shannon Mabry at their NYC office (646)329-7399
I’d invite others to contact New York State Attorney General Andrew M Cuomo for them to take action against BPLLC & GLOBAL DIRECTORIES INC/ Ben Croxton
BrightPages
20 Warren St.
Apt. 2
New York City, NY 10007
US
Domain Name: BRIGHTPAGES.COM
Global Directories
2000 Corporate Square Blvd
Jacksonville, FL 32216
Domain Name: US-YELLOW.COM
GLOBAL DIRECTORIES INC.
Administrative Contact , Technical Contact :
Croxton, Ben
gdidomains@yahoo.com
20 Warren St.
Apt. 2
New York City, NY 10007
US
Phone: 877-576-1599
Comment by The end 08 — March 25, 2008 @ 12:46 pm
I got suck in by this scam artist also and I would like to get some help from the bloggers in creating a complaint letter that I’m going to send
to attorney general in NY and FL where this people
is located.
Also if you can I would like to receive some sample letter to request my refund of $1200.
Than You,
John Patel
Comment by John — April 3, 2008 @ 4:08 pm
Looks like the Attorney General has dealt with BrightPages.
http://www.buffalonews.com/businesstoday/localbusiness/story/346397.html
Comment by Jeff — May 27, 2008 @ 8:15 pm
Is this the same Ben Croxton that is CEO of World Energy Solutions in Saint Petersburg, Florida 1-727-525-5552
Comment by Exsposed — May 29, 2008 @ 1:58 pm
I feel like such an idiot. I just today realized that the brightpages was a scam. I received my credit card bill and saw a charge on it for the brightpages.com. In reviewing my past statements I found out that I have been billed over $1300 dollars since April of 2007. I went on line and cannot even find an advertisement for my business!! I recently received a letter from the New York Attorney General asking if I would like to be part of the suit against them and did not think it applied to me. I lost or misplaced the information. If anyone has the address or information regarding this settlement agreement with brightpages please forward it to me. I cannot believe I fell for it.
Thanks in advance to anyone who can help.
Comment by Peggy — August 18, 2008 @ 8:30 pm
They just called me and said they were the ‘American Yellow Pages’ and wanted to verify our information since they were renewing our account.
If you search American Yellow Pages - it comes up with Brightpages. I pay all the bills for a nonprofit so I know we don’t advertise with them and when I said that we weren’t interested in being in their publication the guy said he was ‘renewing’ our current account.
I searched their site and we’re not on it.
Comment by Laurel — August 19, 2008 @ 12:37 pm