Clean It Up

UK Floor Cleaning Forum => Carpet Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: david@zap-clean on May 15, 2014, 11:07:18 am

Title: New on-line scam to watch out for
Post by: david@zap-clean on May 15, 2014, 11:07:18 am
A company called 'exel' is cold-calling saying they could get my website in top 3 placings of google search, guaranteed, for £100 per year (via their on-line directory).

I think this is complete BS - beware.
Title: Re: New on-line scam to watch out for
Post by: wayne zabel on May 15, 2014, 12:24:24 pm
I have one of these calls around once a month.
Title: Re: New on-line scam to watch out for
Post by: JandS on May 15, 2014, 12:30:47 pm
More like once a week.
Title: Re: New on-line scam to watch out for
Post by: david@zap-clean on May 15, 2014, 12:32:16 pm
I have one of these calls around once a month.

If they'd have said £2000 per year I might have believed them, maybe!
Title: Re: New on-line scam to watch out for
Post by: Mike Gwilliam on May 15, 2014, 03:02:43 pm
Google regards paid for online directories as paid for links which can get your site penalized.

Not from me...from Matt Cutts

With that in mind, I would tell them to stick it where it belongs and who ever calls, I would tell them to look for a new job while their still putting food on the table for the family  ;D
Title: Re: New on-line scam to watch out for
Post by: Darran Pryce on May 15, 2014, 07:20:53 pm
More like once every other day.  I get others saying I'm from Google and I see your website is on page 8 or higher.  I let them say their rubbish, then I say, "you can't be doing your homework, were on page 1 for major keywords"

No your not they say... I say type in carpet cleaners Leeds, window cleaners leeds, gutter cleaners leeds, end of tenancy cleaners leeds, and i can go on and on...

They always say, one minute, I can hear them typing in keys words what I have said.  They come back and say, oh okay and put the phone down.

They are real pests.  

Google would not ring you about getting your website on page 1!
Title: Re: New on-line scam to watch out for
Post by: davep on May 15, 2014, 07:44:19 pm
Yes they do - to verify local map listings.
Title: Re: New on-line scam to watch out for
Post by: jim mca on May 15, 2014, 08:44:14 pm
I got a letter today from Germany asking for my vat registration number if you send it to them then you become liable for a £750 bill to have a paid listing in there directory  ???
Title: Re: New on-line scam to watch out for
Post by: Darran Pryce on May 16, 2014, 06:41:51 am
Yes that's true, but Google don't ring you and say we can SEO your site, and your on page x ... that's what my reply was about, not about verifying just as the question wasn't on about verifying.
Title: Re: New on-line scam to watch out for
Post by: tony bish on May 16, 2014, 03:23:02 pm
Jim I got one of those as well ......
Title: Re: New on-line scam to watch out for
Post by: tony bish on May 16, 2014, 03:25:43 pm
I got a letter today from Germany asking for my vat registration number if you send it to them then you become liable for a £750 bill to have a paid listing in there directory  ???

Jim out of curiosity how do you know thats what will happen ie £750  mate as it didnt give any details only VAT details. 
Title: Re: New on-line scam to watch out for
Post by: jim mca on May 16, 2014, 07:03:35 pm
Tony

Its £797 read the section order on the second page on the first page it says you can update your details for free but by filling in and sending back page 2 then you are placing an order and will be billed annually and must be given by registered letter with 3 months notice.
Title: Re: New on-line scam to watch out for
Post by: Peter Lynch on May 16, 2014, 09:02:29 pm
Hi David,

This sounds like the line I fell for ...
check out this post on it
http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=175467.msg1481506#msg1481506

Peter
Title: Re: New on-line scam to watch out for
Post by: tony bish on May 17, 2014, 09:07:08 am
Tony

Its £797 read the section order on the second page on the first page it says you can update your details for free but by filling in and sending back page 2 then you are placing an order and will be billed annually and must be given by registered letter with 3 months notice.

Oh right ,I must admit Jim I tore the bl**dy thing up before I got to that ..scamming barstewards
Title: Re: New on-line scam to watch out for
Post by: JandS on May 17, 2014, 09:58:38 am
Why would you send your VAT number to Germany??
Title: Re: New on-line scam to watch out for
Post by: tony bish on May 17, 2014, 11:06:37 am
Why would you send your VAT number to Germany??

well exactly !! i dont think it says Germany until you look at the envelope address.
Title: Re: New on-line scam to watch out for
Post by: Neil Williams on May 18, 2014, 09:40:15 am
I got a letter today from Germany asking for my vat registration number if you send it to them then you become liable for a £750 bill to have a paid listing in there directory  ???

I got that one yesterday too.
Went straight in the bin because we are no longer Vat registered, and yes noticed the address at the bottom of the letter along with the envelope.
No doubt some people will have caught out though
Title: Re: New on-line scam to watch out for
Post by: Richard Meads on May 20, 2014, 08:04:47 am
I got one of those letters too, they must be focusing on carpet cleaners. Details here:

https://www.nottinghamshirealert.co.uk/da/67391/VAT_Registration_number_Letter_Scam.html