Warning over scam (From Gazette & Herald)

Warning over scam

BEWARE of the so-called European City Guide, warns Richard Corbett, Labour MEP for Yorkshire and the Humber.

He urges businesses in Yorkshire to read the small print carefully before they respond to a direct mail from this organisation.

Businesses across Europe are being bombarded by a form which appears to be asking for information and prominently displays the phrase "cost free", but hidden in the small print is a notice that returning the form will lead to costs of almost £3,000 per year.

Mr Corbett said "Since the year 2000 I have received complaints every year about the activities of this organisation. It is targeting Yorkshire businesses again - and I, myself, received a mailing today.

"My advice to anyone who receives a mailing from the European City Guide is to throw it away."

He said: "The European City Guide concentrates on small businesses and individuals, and once it has obtained a signature by deception it pursues a strategy of intimidation and bullying to try and extract payment."

The company has previously been pursued vigorously by Trading Standards and the Office of Fair Trading. A website, www.stopecg.org, has been set up to give up-to-date information and support for victims of the scam.

Mr Corbett is also supporting a petition to the European Parliament for legislation to deal with this issue.

Updated: 15:24 Wednesday, June 15, 2005