UK pet firms warned to beware of 'costly' scam
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UK pet companies are being warned to watch out for an international trade directory scam which offers to list firms attending shows like PATS, Interzoo and Zoomark.
At first glance it appears to be a free listing but if companies fall for the trick of signing and returning a form they make themselves liable to a substantial fee.
The scam has been operating for years and in the past some UK businesses have been threatened with court action if they didn't pay up. As yet, this threat has never been carried out but it can still be unsettling to receive a stream of threatening letters.
Jo Craik, of Impact Exhibitions, the organisers of PATS, said: "We have reason to believe that there is a mailshot from International Fairs Directory circulating - this is a SCAM, please bin it.
"The mailing asks you to check and update your details and implies your listing will be free – however, by signing the form and sending it back you are committed to a full size listing on the International Fairs Directory at a cost shown in the small print for three years or more, if no notice of cancellation is given within 10 days of the form being returned.
"Please note that PATS/Impact Exhibitions & Events Ltd has no association with Mulpor Company SA, the publisher of the International Fairs Directory www.inter-fairs.com, which is a website listing events and organisers from around the world.
"For many years the exhibition industry has been trying to close this organisation down, they are operating illegally. If you have already signed and returned the form don’t under any circumstances pay them anything."
The communication from International Fairs Directory looks like the letter illustrated below. So take Jo's advice and BINT IT!
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