Read the Small Print
Please make sure your customers know to check the small print before signing anything related to your events. Exhibitors are being targeted by companies claiming to be, or work with, event organisers. They use existing event branding and may appear genuine.
Organisations such as Event Fair, FairGuide.com/Construct Data Verlag, Expo Guide (Mexico) and International Fairs Directory (Portugal) are targeting exhibitors with their misleading directory services. Unsuspecting exhibitors who sign and return the form are then contracted into a three-year, non-retractable agreement, which could cost the exhibitor a significant amount of money,
It is, however, not just directories. We have been informed that exhibitors have also been targeted by email from companies claiming to sell show data and by alleged hotel companies. It is therefore extremely important that your customers remain vigilant when signing documents seemingly related to your events. Many ESSA Members include information on their websites, in exhibitor manuals and at exhibitor days, we would encourage this practice and any other means of customer communication that is relevant to your business.
If you or your customers fall victim to this scam:
Our advice is to IGNORE THEM COMPLETELY, and not communicate with them in any way. Writing letters simply confirms that you exist and are available at the address/email address/number they have for you, and therefore payment can be pursued.
1) Report it to your local trading standards
2) DO NOT PAY ANYTHING
3) DO NOT COMMUNICATE WITH THE SCAMMERS even when they threaten legal action
4) Optional: Complain to the receiving bank that their client Expo Guide (or equivalent), is obtaining money by deception.
These organisations have also been known to use debt recovery agencies, the same advice stands for these agencies.
Internet Scams and Phishing
Several members have received phishing emails
that include reference to ESSA stating the following:
QUOTE
Would you like to connect with key decision makers from below Industries?
We have ready to deliver email list of key decision makers from all the Industries. (which can be used for your marketing initiatives).
Industry Type:Manufacturing, Information Technology, Oil and Gas, Healthcare, Hospitality, Printing and Publishing, Business Services, Telecommunication, Finance, Insurance & Real Estate, Retail, Construction, Mining Any many more…
Kindly let me know your Target Criteria (Industry Type, Job Titles and Geography) so that I wil get back to you with counts and pricing.
Looking forward for your response.
UNQUOTE
Emails of the above nature do not have any connection to ESSA and you should delete it immediately.
Report it
You can report misleading websites, emails, phone numbers, phone calls or text messages you think may be suspicious. Some websites, emails or phone numbers can look like they’re part of an official government service or that they provide more help than they actually do.
You can report a misleading website, email or phone number to:
- Action Fraud
- Google (if it appears as an advert in their search results)
- Bing (if it appears as an advert in their search results)
You can also report something suspicious to HMRC’s phishing team, for example:
- a text message (forward it to 60599 - you’ll be charged at your network rate)
- an email
- details of a phone call asking for personal information or threatening a lawsuit
- If you receive a suspicious phone call, you can help HMRC’s investigations by providing your phone number; the caller’s phone number; the time and date of the call; a brief description of the call
If you think that an email is suspicious, please report it to ther HMRC phishing team phishing@hmrc.gov.uk
For more information on this topic visit GOV.UK website at https://www.gov.uk/topic/dealing-with-hmrc/phishing-scams
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