This leads to harassment of associations and correspondents.
The UIA and the Federation of European and International Associations Established in Belgium (FAIB) have received several pleas for assistance from organizations being harassed with the threat of legal action if they do not pay for listings in publications like the "World Business Guide".
Having submitted information in good faith on the understanding that doing so was free of charge or obligation, they are then facing a form of extortion when informed that the small print stated that this was a contract for a service fee and that payment is now due.
The good news is that these situations do not appear to be legally binding and that there is now action being taken at the EU level.
This scam is appearing in emails in the format of a form that you fill in, print and sign - then send by fax to them.
If you have received one of these then don't sign it. It comes in an email and starts with a Hello to no particular person. I've highlighted parts in RED that you should pay attention to.
Hello,
In order to have your company inserted in the EU Business Register for 2021/2022,
please print, complete and submit the attached form in a reply to this email.
Eu Business Register
3700 AA ZEIST
THE NETHERLANDS
Tel/Fax: +31 205 248 107
All electronic file formats are accepted.
Updating is free of charge.
I will highlight some interesting yet important facts as outlined in the T&C's.
THE SIGNING OF THIS DOCUMENT REPRESENTS THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS AND THE CONDITIONS STATED IN "THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR INSERTION" ON WEB PAGE
WWW.EUROPEANCOMPANYNETWORK.COM.
THE SIGNING IS LEGALLY BINDING AND GIVES YOU THE RIGHT OF AN INSERTION IN THE ONLINE DATA BASE OF THE EUROPEAN COMPANY NETWORK WHICH CAN BE ACCESSED VIA THE INTERNET, AND A CD ROM WITH WORLD BUSINESSES IS GRANTED, ALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONTRACT CONDITIONS STATED IN "THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR INSERTION" ON WEB PAGE WWW.EUROPEAN COMPANY NETWORK.COM.
Term 1 -THE VALIDATION TIME OF THE CONTRACT IS THREE YEARS AND STARTS ON THE EIGHTH DAY AFTER SIGNING THE CONTRACT. THE INSERTION IS GRANTED AFTER SIGNING AND RECEIVING THIS DOCUMENT BY THE SERVICE PROVIDER.
Term 2 - I HEREBY ORDER A SUBSCRIPTION WITH SERVICE PROVIDER EU BUSINESS SERVICES LTD "EUROPEAN COMPANY NETWORK". I WILL HAVE AN INSERTION INTO ITS DATABASE FOR THREE YEARS. THE PRICE PER YEAR IS EURO 995.
Term 3 - THE SUBSCRIPTION WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY EXTENDED EVERY YEAR FOR ANOTHER YEAR, UNLESS SPECIFIC WRITTEN NOTICE IS RECEIVED BY THE SERVICE PROVIDER OR THE SUBSCRIBER TWO MONTHS BEFORE THE EXPIRATION OF THE SUBSCRIPTION. YOUR DATA WILL BE RECORDED.
THE PLACE OF JURISDICTION IN ANY DISPUTE ARISING IS THE SERVICE PROVIDER’S ADDRESS. THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE SERVICE PROVIDER AND THE SUBSCRIBER IS GOVERNED BY THE CONDITIONS STATED IN THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR INSERTION ON WEB PAGE WWW. EUROPEAN COMPANY NETWORK.COM.
I have highlighted 3 Terms in the T&C's. Now after reading Term 1, you can see the hidden time scale of the contract - 3 Years
In Term 2, the Price is Nearly 3,000 euros which Is £2500 approx. (Give or take a few pounds).
Term 3, now this is CLEVER - You have to give WRITTEN notice two months before expiration of the Contract 2 months before the end of the 3rd year. What this could mean is that your letter of cancellation has to hit their desk on an exact date, if not it will roll on and on at a cost of 995 euros per year. You cannot guarantee that your Termination letter will arrive on a set day. You can track delivery only in the UK.