Date: Tue, 16 Apr 2002 16:46:52 -0400
From: Joan D. Bueter (Barry Univ.) <jbueter_at_mail.barry.edu>
Subject: World Data Publishers and other Scam Artist companies
This has also happened to us. We did not pay them and I filed a
complaint with
the Florida State Attorneys Office Division of Consumer Affairs. It
didn’t seem
to have much result but at least their name is in the State computer
somewhere as
the scam artists that they are. Incidentally these directories are not
inexpensive,
but cost about $300.00 each. And I defy anyone, even trained
librarians, to find
anything in one. They, from the ones that I have seen, are just a
random collection
of business names and addresses.
I also filed a complaint about them to the Better Business Bureau and
while I am
sending this to you I will also send a copy to SEFLIN (South East
Florida Library
Information Network) The problem with the BBB is that they are not
connected
throughout the country. They are all individual units so you may not
find out in
your area about the complaint that I filed in my area of the country.
Whenever I get calls from these or other suspicious companies that tell
me that I
(or someone else, as sometimes they have the name of a librarian or
other library
staff member) have already purchased the directory and they need
permission to
send the “rest of the order” I ask them for their name and the address
and phone
number of their company. When they give that to me, I ask them for the
purchase
order number. They of course NEVER have one. I then tell them that I
order
every book for this library myself and every order has a purchase order
number
and that I never ordered their directory and they must NEVER call this
library
again.
Sometimes I don’t get calls from that particular company again,
(sometimes I do)
but I still am always getting calls from others like them. This is what
leads me to
believe that they are connected in some way. They share lists;
otherwise how would
they know my name and phone number?
The following is a list of the companies that run the same scam. These
are
companies who have actually called me to tell me that to complete my
order they need my
permission to send the last directory or some story similar to that. I
believe that some of these
companies are related and have sprung from the same “mothership" -
You’ll see when you look
at their names.
E Com Business Directory ---- Philadelphia, PA
IBD (International Business Directory) This was the original scam that
got us.
IT Data Direct
Info Chase
Info Com (I was told that they bought out World Data Publishers)----
Florence, KY
Info Com Direct (publishing the “Wilson and Goldberg – Goldbook”)
Informatica - NYC
Datalink Directories
MDSC P ublishing (American Corporate Directory)
Mayrand (American Business Guide) ---- Champlain, NY
and of course the infamous ***
World Data Publishers
=======
In addition, here is the list from Kim Ellis:
Ameri-Globe Publishing, Miami, Fl
American Access
American Data
Business Communications
DataLink Directory
Datatech Communications
DataTel
Hanson Publications
IT&T, Switzerland
InfoCom, Florence, Ky, 41042
Infotek
MDSC Publishing, Canada.
MNC Publications, Champlain, NY, 12919
National Business Info
Newline Publishing, Port Huron, MI 48060
Pin Point Publishing, Canada
Quality Submit, Charlestown, MA, 02129
United Media
UTP Digital Directories
World Data Publishing
Joan D. Bueter
Barry University Library / Acquisitions
11300 N.E. Second Avenue
Miami Shores, Fl 33161-6695
jbueter_at_mail.barry.edu
Received on Sun May 05 2002 - 15:55:41 EDT