Warning on hidden cost of Euro Business Guide

Local businesses have been alerted to an e-mail entitled "Euro Business Guide" which is currently being circulated and could eventually cost respondents €2,800 over three years.

The Malta Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises (GRTU) has issued a warning to the business community about the offending e-mail, which is sent by Euro Business Guide, PO Box 2021, 3500 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands.

If the attached form is filled in and returned signed, the respondent agrees to the €2,800 cost which is contained in the small print.

The GRTU said it intends to bring this matter to the attention of the European Union immediately.

Just last month, the European Parliament overwhelmingly adopted a report by MEP Simon Busuttil on combating business directory scams. The report, which has yet to be put into practice, is aimed at preventing such scams based on misleading advertising.

It is estimated that 90 Maltese organisations including Bank of Valletta, Vodafone, the University of Malta and One TV were among thousands of European companies conned into taking "free" advertising in the European City Guide scam which prompted Dr Busuttil's report.

The companies, which applied for the advertising unknowingly, were then asked to pay a hefty fee under threat of legal action, although no action was eventually taken against those who refused. Others, however, had already paid up.

In all, 400 complaints were filed from all over Europe alleging abuse and misleading business practices by a Spanish company which produced the guide.