Another Scam? Singapore Business Pages
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Hi,
I'm also another victim, i had saw all the postings and i think i'll not call or reply them back. To my opinion, they keep asking us to reply in written form so that they can get some form of communications to establish and for filing so they can strengthen their agreement contract. I'm simply ignore till they really take me to the court.
But, anyway, is there anyone can advise me how to deal with this ?? I had called ARCA and CASE and they are of no help, i think media is the best issue, how i wish all major newspapers would to advertise, news forum or those programme ( like "focus" programme in chinese ) that hold forum to stress on this. So it'll make this news heated up and everybody will know about their bad deeds.
Cheers. -
Media will pick up after you make a police report, and once media report it, the police will act on it
Originally posted by savesave:Hi,
I'm also another victim, i had saw all the postings and i think i'll not call or reply them back. To my opinion, they keep asking us to reply in written form so that they can get some form of communications to establish and for filing so they can strengthen their agreement contract. I'm simply ignore till they really take me to the court.
But, anyway, is there anyone can advise me how to deal with this ?? I had called ARCA and CASE and they are of no help, i think media is the best issue, how i wish all major newspapers would to advertise, news forum or those programme ( like "focus" programme in chinese ) that hold forum to stress on this. So it'll make this news heated up and everybody will know about their bad deeds.
Cheers. -
erm...but r we doin the correct thing? todae i called them a lady advice me that if dun pay they will not hesitate to hand it to the legal department.
issit true?
but on the other hand i c from wht u all write here is also a way but then can i really ignore?
1 of the customer service quote me $1487.50 as the cancellations fees. is this amt too high? pls advice
i hope someone can provide me with the best way. i jus join this company not long ago. i cant afford to let my boss know about this and i cant afford to pay so much as well...i got to know this when my classmates were talking over a gathering and i feel so sour n hurt when 1 of my classmates paid a $1487.50 cancellations fees to them from her own pocket. i dun dare to mention i got into this i just play along to get more info.
any kind soul pls advice...it seems that pay oso die,no pay oso die feeling.
i m really having a hard time...please advice
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hi got cheated,
pay for cancellation ?? the book is not even printed out yet, what to pay for cancellation ??they are really out to CON you. it a matter of squeeze u more juice out from your pocket. If they r really a honour & honest Company, this matter would not have been raised. By using a photocopy acknwledgement slip to deems as agreement and send u back the confirmation after the cancellation grace period. This is their tactics of getting more $$. They'll get retribution sooner or later.
Afterall, really very sad that our Authority is not doing any job for this ......
Sigh..... -
Wow! They asked $1275 for my cancellation. slightly cheaper than yours. But I am not paying them. HahahahaOriginally posted by gotcheated:erm...but r we doin the correct thing? todae i called them a lady advice me that if dun pay they will not hesitate to hand it to the legal department.
issit true?
but on the other hand i c from wht u all write here is also a way but then can i really ignore?
1 of the customer service quote me $1487.50 as the cancellations fees. is this amt too high? pls advice
i hope someone can provide me with the best way. i jus join this company not long ago. i cant afford to let my boss know about this and i cant afford to pay so much as well...i got to know this when my classmates were talking over a gathering and i feel so sour n hurt when 1 of my classmates paid a $1487.50 cancellations fees to them from her own pocket. i dun dare to mention i got into this i just play along to get more info.
any kind soul pls advice...it seems that pay oso die,no pay oso die feeling.
i m really having a hard time...please advice
Just tell your boss about this special tailor document that is going around to trick people into signing on the dotted line. To verify this matter, tell him about this forum. This is to confirm what you say is the truth. Also asked your victimized friend to see this forum, so that she knows she is not alone. Ask her to join us.
One of the reason why they are so successful in intimidating us is because they try to make us believe that we have make a mistake and we are alone and there is no one to help us. But we didn't make that mistake we are misled by their special tailored documents.
Look at this forum, they have started this many years ago. And have pry on many innocent victims. If we pay, we are encouraging them to target on more people and they can get very rich you know. They are banging on others mistakes through their special tailored documents.
Think for a moment. What type of business will take so much time and energy into convincing you to pay for something that you didn't sign for? A slimy company that is not honest and have no integrity.
We must expose their unfair business practice and create public awareness, so that they can't victimize on us and others anymore.
We must all act together! What say you all! -
They always threaten to sue. But get this.... It's "only" few thousand dollars. The legal fees itself will be more than that sum.Originally posted by gotcheated:erm...but r we doin the correct thing? todae i called them a lady advice me that if dun pay they will not hesitate to hand it to the legal department.
issit true?
but on the other hand i c from wht u all write here is also a way but then can i really ignore?
1 of the customer service quote me $1487.50 as the cancellations fees. is this amt too high? pls advice
i hope someone can provide me with the best way. i jus join this company not long ago. i cant afford to let my boss know about this and i cant afford to pay so much as well...i got to know this when my classmates were talking over a gathering and i feel so sour n hurt when 1 of my classmates paid a $1487.50 cancellations fees to them from her own pocket. i dun dare to mention i got into this i just play along to get more info.
any kind soul pls advice...it seems that pay oso die,no pay oso die feeling.
i m really having a hard time...please advice 
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Hi,
Sorry to know that you are in the same boat as us.
1. Tell your boss about this as suggested by UniteMind
2. Do NOT pay them a single cent, (they will give you a HUGE discount soon once you tell them that you are know in the company and your boss is not aware of it), BUT still, don't pay.
3. If they want to take your company to court, you will be the last, as there are many cases before yours. I will fight my case first haha.
4. If anyone of you are being sued, pls post it here, I will bring it to media, ACRA, MDA, CAD. You and your company will not be alone fighting this.
5. And refer your boss to this forum as suggested by UniteMind and also show yourboss the news in SG and Hong Kong.
6. and the last point6, as your boss to contact me. My message for him here is that anyone can be conned by such well scheming tactics, including your boss. I have seen many experience businessman got con by them too.
7. If your boss is not understanding, just leave the company, not worth working for such boss, Our Garment said we are over full employment in SG now, no need to worry that cannot get a Job. See your MP if need to, better still if your MP is a Minister or PM, Senior PM, or MM. let our world highesh paid MP handle it for you.
p/s: (1) And if you are the scammers from Asian Biusiness Directoris PL, I just want to tell you : " F You!"
p/s: (2) You are a staff working with this scammers, retributions will catch up with you soon.Originally posted by gotcheated:erm...but r we doin the correct thing? todae i called them a lady advice me that if dun pay they will not hesitate to hand it to the legal department.
issit true?
but on the other hand i c from wht u all write here is also a way but then can i really ignore?
1 of the customer service quote me $1487.50 as the cancellations fees. is this amt too high? pls advice
i hope someone can provide me with the best way. i jus join this company not long ago. i cant afford to let my boss know about this and i cant afford to pay so much as well...i got to know this when my classmates were talking over a gathering and i feel so sour n hurt when 1 of my classmates paid a $1487.50 cancellations fees to them from her own pocket. i dun dare to mention i got into this i just play along to get more info.
any kind soul pls advice...it seems that pay oso die,no pay oso die feeling.
i m really having a hard time...please advice -
Gotcheated,
and stop all corresponence with them IMMEDIATELY!Originally posted by gotcheated:erm...but r we doin the correct thing? todae i called them a lady advice me that if dun pay they will not hesitate to hand it to the legal department.
issit true?
but on the other hand i c from wht u all write here is also a way but then can i really ignore?
1 of the customer service quote me $1487.50 as the cancellations fees. is this amt too high? pls advice
i hope someone can provide me with the best way. i jus join this company not long ago. i cant afford to let my boss know about this and i cant afford to pay so much as well...i got to know this when my classmates were talking over a gathering and i feel so sour n hurt when 1 of my classmates paid a $1487.50 cancellations fees to them from her own pocket. i dun dare to mention i got into this i just play along to get more info.
any kind soul pls advice...it seems that pay oso die,no pay oso die feeling.
i m really having a hard time...please advice -
Redstone,
I agree with you. They are more worry to go to court than us, why? Cos they scammers, we are the victims, see what happen to them in Hong Kong.... arrested by Hong Kong Police.Originally posted by redstone:They always threaten to sue. But get this.... It's "only" few thousand dollars. The legal fees itself will be more than that sum. -
This is posted on Straits Times online Forum:
http://www.straitstimes.com/ST+Forum/Online+Story/STIStory_162247.html
Home > ST Forum > Online Story
Oct 1, 2007
Dispute with Singapore Business Pages over advertising contract
I HAD a very terrible experience with Singapore Business Pages (SBP) recently.
My father received a letter from what he thought was Yellow Pages asking to verify his company's particulars. He signed it and faxed it back.
A week later, we received a tax invoice from SBP, asking us to pay $4,547.50 within seven days. The letter that my father had signed and faxed was an advertisement contract and is supposed to be valid for two years with one payable edition per year.
We wrote in to request cancellation and explained that we had no intention to take up the advertisement and that we could not afford to pay the fee.
Despite various e-mail, letters, faxes and tele-conversations with them, they insisted that they will only allow us to cancel the contract if we pay a termination fee of $1,062.50.
My dad works alone, running a small firm and is illiterate. He does not understand the terms and conditions stated in the letter. The logo on the SBP form was square and yellow, very similar to the logo of Yellow Pages. The terms and conditions stated therein were in very fine print. The amount was also in small print and the currency was written as 'SGD' instead of just a dollar sign ($), of which the recipient might probably have noticed if it was written as $4,250 instead of SGD 4,250. The entire contents of the letter were very ambiguous and misleading.
Since the publication is not even out yet, I wrote in to them again requesting them to cancel the contract without imposing any termination fee but I am willing to compensate them by paying a nominal fee of $100 for the inconvenience caused.
We also do not see why we should pay since we did not engage their services. No artwork, logos, company's description, et cetera, have been supplied to them for the so-called 'advertisement'.
In spite of all the counter proposal and explanations, we received reminder invoices and a final reminder letter from SBP saying that should we not pay up the full advertisement fee of $4,547.50 within seven days from the date of the reminder (which is due on Sept 25), they would hand the matter to their legal adviser to recover the full invoiced amount, including legal fees and interest.
We tried to seek help from Case but it is not able to handle it because this is a business-to-business dispute. We went to Singapore Mediation Centre and, unfortunately, they cannot come into the picture unless both parties agree to go down to see the mediator to resolve the dispute.
Today, I found out from the 'Legal Assistant Blog' as well as some other websites that I am not the only victim. In fact, many have lodged complaints against Singapore Business Pages (also called Asian Business Directories Pte Ltd). Attention was brought to Case, the police, the Commercial Affairs Dept, Singapore Mediation Centre, commercial fraud centre, et cetera, by different victims. But it seems they cannot do much about it.
I really hope the authorities can step in to prevent this company from doing the same thing to more business owners.
Cindy See Seow Hwee -
http://www.straitstimes.com/ST+Forum/Online+Story/STIStory_162247.html
burpmando
October 01, 2007 Monday, 01:47 PM
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I almost fell into their trap too. I'm in the MCST line and had received a letter from them which looked so yellow pages asking me to sign and send back to them to include us in their pages for the next publication.
Very little was mentioned about the cost and I almost sent back after signing. Luckily I looked through again and realised the part on payment, otherwise I would not know how to answer to my client as I am authorized to sign menial things on their behalf. Frankly, the writer is right. Why will they want to put it as SGD instead of S$ if they are not out to confuse? -
http://comment.straitstimes.com/showthread.php?t=5323
burpmando
October 01, 2007 Monday, 02:13 PM
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#8 Management Corporation Strata Title. I'm working as a managing agent employed by the Council of the MCST to take care of their property. Therefore, if I had signed it and sent back, guess I'll have problem answering to them and to my company's accounts department.
For for their letter, if you had received it before, you would have realised that the money was mentioned in fine print and the logo and style of letter is "very yellow pages". -
http://comment.straitstimes.com/showthread.php?t=5323
darren.lim
October 01, 2007 Monday, 02:59 PM
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Cindy, I was in the exact predicament as your father too. They sent the same letter to me, and as I represent my company, I check it, made the necessary corrections, and as your father did, faxed the letter back to them without the intention of taking up the ad. In fact, in my fax cover sheet, I told them that my company had no intention to take up the ad.
A letter then came and asked for payment of the same sum - $4,547.50. I called them up and informed them that there must be a mistake as I had specifically stated in my fax letter that my company had no intention of taking up the ad.
They asked if I had read their fine print. I said yes, but their letter was misleading, which was why I had replied stating clearly my company's intentions. They refused to to budge in their arguments, saying that since I had read and had signed, it's a standing agreement. I was appalled. My instructions were explicitly clear, more so than their "fine print".
They will only allow my company to cancel the contract if my company pays a termination fee of $1,062.50 - same sum as yours. If my company does not pay, they would hand the matter over to their legal advisor as well.
I suppose this "Singapore Business Pages" is legal...if it even is at all, and if so, just as Cindy does, I do hope the authorities can step in to prevent this company from doing the same thing to more business owners as well. -
tongcheekin
October 01, 2007 Monday, 03:18 PM
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1. Where is that publication they talking about?
2. Why is the logo so misleading and similar to that of Yellow Pages? Does Yellow Pages wants to take legal action against them for infringing trademark?
3. Since this has been going on for so long, why is the authority not taking action? Why CASE and Police CAD cannot take on this case? Too many grey area? -
(#16)
priscilla7
October 01, 2007 Monday, 09:03 PM
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I believe there were already 2 or 3 letters warning others of similar pitfall about Singapore Business Pages (SBP) appeared in the Forum Page sometime ago. Since Cindy See knew how to write to the Forum Page after her dad got into such unfortunate contract, I'm just wondering how come she did not pay attention to those similar warning letters appeared in the Forum Page previously about SBP and warn her dad.
My bro-in-law who does not under English also received similar letter from SBP in 2006 but he took the trouble to check with me, thus avoided being deceited.
The relevant authorities should immediately stop SBP from further deceiving unsuspecting companies since the relevant authorities are aware that this kind of canny selling tactic employed by SBP indirectly can dupe business owners. Just like the government has stopped those businesses from practising the “never-ending” closing down sales, the relevant authorities should come down on SBP on such fraudulent transaction. -
thanks for all your advices!
i have paid a cancellations of $xxx to them. i think is lucky i got such a low fees. i just don't want to get into anymore trouble. i m really scare they will go legal n i will lose my job.
i m now with 2 kids n i cant afford to lose anything especially my job. the customer service don't sound so bad after all. but end of the day is really heart pain to pay a $xxx it cost half my aws.
i will like to warn the rest of the people here. please read through before you sign. any documents tat comes into ur office pls! i m a living example. it really hurts to pay n the feeling is damm bad. at least i can slp well now at nite.
thanks everyone for your kind advice and attention. -
They won't sue. AT least from my POV. It's "only" few thousands to them. "Cancellation fees" are "only" few hundred. The court fees will already exceed it. It's 100% pure scam.Originally posted by gotcheated:thanks for all your advices!
i have paid a cancellations of $xxx to them. i think is lucky i got such a low fees. i just don't want to get into anymore trouble. i m really scare they will go legal n i will lose my job.
i m now with 2 kids n i cant afford to lose anything especially my job. the customer service don't sound so bad after all. but end of the day is really heart pain to pay a $xxx it cost half my aws.
i will like to warn the rest of the people here. please read through before you sign. any documents tat comes into ur office pls! i m a living example. it really hurts to pay n the feeling is damm bad. at least i can slp well now at nite.
thanks everyone for your kind advice and attention. -
So sad to heard that you pay due to your difficult situation. They are really blood sucker!!! Imagine half of your AWS that you can enjoy with your 2 kids is gone! They are living on people's fear and weaknesses.Originally posted by gotcheated:thanks for all your advices!
i have paid a cancellations of $xxx to them. i think is lucky i got such a low fees. i just don't want to get into anymore trouble. i m really scare they will go legal n i will lose my job.
i m now with 2 kids n i cant afford to lose anything especially my job. the customer service don't sound so bad after all. but end of the day is really heart pain to pay a $xxx it cost half my aws.
i will like to warn the rest of the people here. please read through before you sign. any documents tat comes into ur office pls! i m a living example. it really hurts to pay n the feeling is damm bad. at least i can slp well now at nite.
thanks everyone for your kind advice and attention.
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I can understand your situation, at the same time sad that you succumb to such scam. This helps them to push forward to scam others with the fund they got from you.
Anyhow, I respect your decision, ultimately, it is family FIRST. You are doing what you should do for your family.Originally posted by gotcheated:thanks for all your advices!
i have paid a cancellations of $xxx to them. i think is lucky i got such a low fees. i just don't want to get into anymore trouble. i m really scare they will go legal n i will lose my job.
i m now with 2 kids n i cant afford to lose anything especially my job. the customer service don't sound so bad after all. but end of the day is really heart pain to pay a $xxx it cost half my aws.
i will like to warn the rest of the people here. please read through before you sign. any documents tat comes into ur office pls! i m a living example. it really hurts to pay n the feeling is damm bad. at least i can slp well now at nite.
thanks everyone for your kind advice and attention. -
Anyone has the fax number of the Singapore companies, I think the best way would be to send a warning fax to all companies in Singapore. I don't mind doing the job This is what Chinese call it : Yi Ya hwang ya or the English saying: An Eye for an Eye
How did ADBPL get their fax database?? -
They can either buy a fax directory CD or ask a clerk to copy and paste the fax number from the internet yellow pages into their fax database software.Originally posted by scarborough:Anyone has the fax number of the Singapore companies, I think the best way would be to send a warning fax to all companies in Singapore. I don't mind doing the job This is what Chinese call it : Yi Ya hwang ya or the English saying: An Eye for an Eye
How did ADBPL get their fax database??
I think it is a good idea to fax to all the companies and Yi Ya hwang ya or the English saying: An Eye for an Eye.
Another method is to draft an email about "Singapore Business Pages" blood sucking tactics and send out to as many friends as possible and ask them to email to their friends and create a chain email. -
I shall send out the warning message at my own cost if someone is willing to supply me the fax databaseOriginally posted by UnitedMind:They can either buy a fax directory CD or ask a clerk to copy and paste the fax number from the internet yellow pages into their fax database software.
I think it is a good idea to fax to all the companies and Yi Ya hwang ya or the English saying: An Eye for an Eye.
Another method is to draft an email about "Singapore Business Pages" blood sucking tactics and send out to as many friends as possible and ask them to email to their friends and create a chain email. -
but if u do it this way, aint u afarid that they will sue u? cause maybe i m different i think i can pay then pay dun wana get into so much trouble...then may i ask if all of u paid to them then u start this forum or u all simply refuse to pay?
can share with me how u all get involded with them?
think back i duno if i did the correct thing by paying them...it hurts alot
now my kids ask me for cny clothes i have to cut n share my own spending to save for them...haizzz
i think is a good idea...to warn ppl too...but dun get into trouble, all of u r nice guys is nice to have u all ard then can share...lucky
thanks once again for the advice if nt i think i will be paying $xxxx instead of $xxx -
wat a mistake i made for trusting the word SINGAPORE as stated in bold & bigger fonts.
it makes me feel scared of my own country. and it has been weeks i do not have good nights sleep. i'm gonna take this as a lesson learnt .. whenever i see the word SINGAPORE, i better be very extra cautious.
reputation for YP is not good either, i mistake that as YP's logo. and assumed that they are probably updating our company particulars for the year 2008's business contact publication. well, i received it towards end of Nov 2007 & was blindly "instructed" to check, correct & fax back by a designated date.
unscrupulous way of making $$ like that cannot be tolerated, i want & must bring this case to a wider awareness out there.
My company is small & i run it alone. If u want my $$, i'm prepared to go to jail if this matter can bring up to a "higher level" of attention.
please include me.
contacts & information will be given. Please also update me the neccesary information of the ongoing fight. -
We the Singaporeans always "Kiang Chen Hu", I am afraid only if I am wrong, in this case, we are the victims, why are we afriad ... the scammer should be the one....
I am waiting for them to sue me ... and I will make the news bigger than the Sunshine Empire case
Till now I refuse to pay them, I rather spend on milk powder for my BB.
Dont' mention, we are the victims, we should help each otherOriginally posted by gotcheated:but if u do it this way, aint u afarid that they will sue u? cause maybe i m different i think i can pay then pay dun wana get into so much trouble...then may i ask if all of u paid to them then u start this forum or u all simply refuse to pay?
can share with me how u all get involded with them?
think back i duno if i did the correct thing by paying them...it hurts alot
now my kids ask me for cny clothes i have to cut n share my own spending to save for them...haizzz
i think is a good idea...to warn ppl too...but dun get into trouble, all of u r nice guys is nice to have u all ard then can share...lucky
thanks once again for the advice if nt i think i will be paying $xxxx instead of $xxx