Home What's New Speeches & Articles Newsletter - Jul 2008 Biography Diary Contact Information Photo Album Parliamentary Highlights Publications Links MEPs' Transparency   Conservative Party Latest News from Conservatives.com Conservative Party Website
		Leicester businesses warned of scam Wednesday, 18th January 2006 East Midlands Conservative MEP Roger Helmer has today warned Leicestershire businesses of the re-emergence of a scam that could see them unwittingly billed for thousands of pounds. Mr Helmer was initially made aware of the scam by local Leicestershire businessman Wayne Morris of Hair Designs by Wayne who received a bill for 937 euros after filling in what looked like a business register for a 'European City Guide'. The form gives the impression that the directory entries are free but the small print, however, means that businesses who sign up and return the enclosed form, even if simply correcting it or adding to the details provided, were committed to paying large sums of money. Speaking about the scam, Mr Morris said: "The format of the form is deliberately designed to look like an official business register but the hard-pressed businessman besieged with paperwork signs it, sends it back and then gets billed for 937 euros." Many small businesses in Leicestershire and across the country have been targeted by this company, with both the Citizens Advice Bureau and Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce warning people to be vigilant. Speaking from Brussels today, Mr Helmer said: "I thought this old scam had gone away, but the fraudsters are not giving up. My advice to local businesses is, if you get a mailing from these people, throw it away. And if you get an invoice from them, throw that away too."