First of all, I did not get ripped off, mainly because I have built up such a high immunity to telemarketers over the years.
About 5 years ago, the World-Wide Source/Ameri-Source scam got my business in its sights, mounting quite an operation in attempts to "hook" us. That's the $399.99 "American Business Index" listing scam. I still have the big stupid book they sent and most of the "invoices." Eventually I wore them down by saying, "No, I never ordered it, don't want it, and will not pay" enough times, etc., and bringing up tidbits I'd learned about them such as the legal actions in Vermont, etc. I remember asking them sarcastically if they'd like to try for being barred from doing business in yet another state, if so just keep annoying me.
It's a long story with amusing footnotes (I have tape recordings of a couple of their calls dunning me for the fraudulent bill, including where they played their tape that was supposedly a "verbal contract"). I reiterate, we held out in the face of their bluff, and did not pay them, nor did I worry about mailing back their "valuable" doorstop of a book.
The funny thing is, I believe they still call us from time to time. Mostly, as soon as I hear, "We're updating your directory listing..., " I interrupt with, "We don't buy advertising over the telephone, never have, never will, " and hang up.
This month I took one of those "updating your account" calls, but it was from "Theinternetyellowpages.com". Hmm, I replied, "We don't buy adverti—" but the operator butted in to rudely exclaim, "What business doesn't advertise!?" I shot back, "Over the phone." She started in on her speil anyway, about how it was an "existing account, " and that she just needed to verify the listing.
Ignoring that, I asked her to spell the website, and said, "Thanks, I'll check you out, " {click}. Apparently they have a few variations of the domain name— I'm not actually sure that I landed on their site, because in fact I have not even found my business listed there (the WWS book at least had that!). I did rummage their listings a bit, though, and noticed certain similarities to the WWS/ABI book. Poorly organized and far from complete, for example. While many of the listings have the business' full address, a significant number only show the city and state, for another eg.
It might not be the same bunch as AmeriSource, but it's the same M.O.
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