Inter-Fairs Scam - Directory Listing Invoice
Discussion
So there is this scam company called InterFairs who scrape data of all people who attend exhibitions and send an official looking show guide entry request.
However this is technically a contract agreeing to 1300 EUR per year for three years. 3900 EUR in total.
One of my staff stupidly completed it and sent it off without my knowledge.
We've received an invoice for the 1300 EUR, a photocopy of the form completed and a crappy looking entry as "proof".
I emailed saying that they did not have my authority to send and we wouldn't be paying it etc..
Obviously they have all these angles covered and have emailed back stating it was addressed to our company not an individual etc and a few more threats of how they'd win in court etc. etc.
Has anyone seen this before or fallen victim?
I don't intend on paying it or replying to the email they've sent me, it's a complete scam that preys on unauthorised low level employees thinking they're doing someone else a favour by returning.
What should we do?
However this is technically a contract agreeing to 1300 EUR per year for three years. 3900 EUR in total.
One of my staff stupidly completed it and sent it off without my knowledge.
We've received an invoice for the 1300 EUR, a photocopy of the form completed and a crappy looking entry as "proof".
I emailed saying that they did not have my authority to send and we wouldn't be paying it etc..
Obviously they have all these angles covered and have emailed back stating it was addressed to our company not an individual etc and a few more threats of how they'd win in court etc. etc.
Has anyone seen this before or fallen victim?
I don't intend on paying it or replying to the email they've sent me, it's a complete scam that preys on unauthorised low level employees thinking they're doing someone else a favour by returning.
What should we do?
Edited by MrSparks on Tuesday 25th September 19:16
Edited by MrSparks on Tuesday 25th September 19:17
First mistake was replying at all , they are based in Mexico and it’s a well known scam ! Contact trading standards (so they can add it to the 1000 of complaints already on file) then ignore any further correspondence, they usually try fake dept collection agency’s next , then a sudden deal might be offered reducing the amount, it’s a numbers game for them , the fact it’s still going on means some muppets must crumble and pay up ! We where discussing this very scam at work today
I’m surprised these types of scams still happen. I seem to remember them being around about 10-15 years ago (normally advertising/sponsorship of so-called Charity calendars, or catalogues).
The “invoice” they would send through was actually the “order form” so by paying £50 you agreed to have your company name in a Directory (which would never get printed). They relied on accounts payable departments just paying without checking for authorisation.
Another scam was franking machine labels - phoning up reception, pretending to be our normal franking machine label supplier, delivering stuff that didnt work on our machines and then billing us for £00s
The “invoice” they would send through was actually the “order form” so by paying £50 you agreed to have your company name in a Directory (which would never get printed). They relied on accounts payable departments just paying without checking for authorisation.
Another scam was franking machine labels - phoning up reception, pretending to be our normal franking machine label supplier, delivering stuff that didnt work on our machines and then billing us for £00s
There have been variations of this scam running for many years. In the early 1970’s someone phoned, got a name of somebody in the office and sent a consignment of poor quality carbon paper the person had apparently ordered at an inflated price.
Roll onto 10-20 years ago it was invoices for advertising in trade magazines.
It’ll change again but keep on happening.
Roll onto 10-20 years ago it was invoices for advertising in trade magazines.
It’ll change again but keep on happening.
I recall some years ago getting stuff like this for inclusion in show guides, business directories and more recently, internet directories. Price is always hidden away in the small print, phrasing is usually stressing on how the directory is free, so you'll think it's the ad that is free.
Undercover Agent said:
Agree with the above, tell them to do one and completely ignore any and all of their contact attempts.
Thanks for the replies.The above is my current plan of action. I am going to ignore any and all contact unless it comes from a UK court (or however it happens, can't say I've ever been "taken to court" before).
Aggro I can do without, but I have made the office aware of potential scams to avoid it happening again in the future.
Put the name InterFairs Scams into Google:-
https://www.communicasia.com/files/SES-Exhibitor-A...
https://www.aeo.org.uk/expoguide
https://www.communicasia.com/files/SES-Exhibitor-A...
https://www.aeo.org.uk/expoguide
Simpo Two said:
matjk said:
First mistake was replying at all , they are based in Mexico...
I wonder which law is relevant, Mexican or UK?How far would I get suing a Mexican company?
Ergo, how far can they get suing a UK company?
NB You'll only get bailiffs coming round if you ignore a summons.
MrSparks said:
So there is this scam company called InterFairs who scrape data of all people who attend exhibitions and send an official looking show guide entry request.
However this is technically a contract agreeing to 1300 EUR per year for three years. 3900 EUR in total.
One of my staff stupidly completed it and sent it off without my knowledge.
We've received an invoice for the 1300 EUR, a photocopy of the form completed and a crappy looking entry as "proof".
I emailed saying that they did not have my authority to send and we wouldn't be paying it etc..
Obviously they have all these angles covered and have emailed back stating it was addressed to our company not an individual etc and a few more threats of how they'd win in court etc. etc.
Has anyone seen this before or fallen victim?
I don't intend on paying it or replying to the email they've sent me, it's a complete scam that preys on unauthorised low level employees thinking they're doing someone else a favour by returning.
What should we do?
MrSparks, did you ever have a resolution to this?However this is technically a contract agreeing to 1300 EUR per year for three years. 3900 EUR in total.
One of my staff stupidly completed it and sent it off without my knowledge.
We've received an invoice for the 1300 EUR, a photocopy of the form completed and a crappy looking entry as "proof".
I emailed saying that they did not have my authority to send and we wouldn't be paying it etc..
Obviously they have all these angles covered and have emailed back stating it was addressed to our company not an individual etc and a few more threats of how they'd win in court etc. etc.
Has anyone seen this before or fallen victim?
I don't intend on paying it or replying to the email they've sent me, it's a complete scam that preys on unauthorised low level employees thinking they're doing someone else a favour by returning.
What should we do?
Edited by MrSparks on Tuesday 25th September 19:16
Edited by MrSparks on Tuesday 25th September 19:17
Hi did anything ever come back with this?
I recently have done the same, thought it was a free listing to check companies details. I got an invoice and the stupidly emailed them to say I was not authorised to sign on behalf of the company and was told that did not matter. They then offered me a deal but I have not responded. Panicking now as don’t want to get my work in trouble and if work have to pay it i will have to pay them back which I can’t afford.
I have reported it to fraud squad and another fraud agency.
Any advice would help as my anxiety is through the roof.
Thanks
I recently have done the same, thought it was a free listing to check companies details. I got an invoice and the stupidly emailed them to say I was not authorised to sign on behalf of the company and was told that did not matter. They then offered me a deal but I have not responded. Panicking now as don’t want to get my work in trouble and if work have to pay it i will have to pay them back which I can’t afford.
I have reported it to fraud squad and another fraud agency.
Any advice would help as my anxiety is through the roof.
Thanks
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