20/05/2002

Businesses urged to beware of website mailshot

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment’s Trading Standards Service has warned Northern Ireland businesses to double-check invoices and carefully scrutinise mailshots.

The warning was issued following calls from local businesses who have received unsolicited correspondence from a company called Central Web Pages Register Ltd (CWP).

This company has been posting out forms to companies to register on their website. However, while the registration form looks like an invoice and demands payment, it also contains a section headed “Important Note” which may mislead people into thinking that non-payment of the £225.60 (the registration fee for the website) will result in their business being disconnected from the internet.

Trading Standards Inspector Kevin McNamara said: “This current mail-shot is a new version of an established technique. Business and - in particular - their accounts personnel should always be on the lookout for this type of mail and for unsolicited invoices in general.

"It is often the case that the amounts being requested are small enough not to attract suspicion. The message from Trading Standards is to encourage staff to scrutinise invoices and challenge any that seem suspicious.”

If any business requires more advice about the CWP mailshot, or unsolicited invoices in general, they should contact Trading Standards Service on 028 9025 3935 and ask for Kevin McNamara.

(MB)


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