Jepsen
HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) - Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen warned small businesses on Wednesday not to fall for a fraudulent "Yellow Page" scam.
According to the Attorney General's Office, operators at undisclosed locations called businesses to offer free "Yellow Page" listings or renewals, but request bank or credit card information.
The listings, Jepsen's office explained, are never placed in any directory and although the bogus service is offered for free, businesses may be charged and even harassed for payments.
Some businesses provided credit card or bank information under the mistaken belief that information on file with the real Yellow Pages had expired, Jepsen said.
"In this economy, everyone is looking for ways to bring in more business. But consumers need to take the time to check out an unsolicited offer for advertising before giving out bank, credit card or other personal information," the attorney general said in a statement Wednesday.
Jepsen's office said it has received 36 complaints about "Yellow Page" fraud since 2009, including seven complaints so far this year.
Businesses and consumers, as a practice, should never give out bank or credit card information over the phone, over the Internet or through the mail unless they are absolutely certain they know and trust the company with which they are dealing, Jepsen said.
From Legal Newsline: Reach Jessica Karmasek by e-mail at jessica@legalnewsline.com.