Businesses in the County are warned to be alert to a postal scam concerning a European City Guide. A typical letter invites the recipient to complete a form by ticking ‘activity’ boxes. The business details would then appear on an annual CD-Rom comprising commercial information for a European City Guide. Only in the small print at the foot of the page does it indicate a cost of 937 euros each year for three years, unless cancelled in writing 3 months prior to renewal.
Phil Ashcroft, Head of Cumbria County Council’s Trading Standards Department, said "This letter comes from an address in Spain. It is typical of many scams, as they are based abroad they are not subject to UK law. I am always suspicious of invitations to place an entry in a Business Guide or Directory because it can be difficult to know if the publication is ever produced. My advice is to throw the letter away and if you do receive a demand for payment, not to pay it".
In September 2003 a Catalan court ruled that European City Guide, based first in Valencia and then Barcelona, was to be temporarily shut down for one year and fined 300,000 euros (over £200,000) for its deceitful advertising. Over the last four years the Catalan authorities have received more than 3,500 complaints from companies and professionals in 40 European countries about European City Guide.
Cumbria Trading Standards have recently been alerted to the activity of two debt collection agencies called Premium Recovery and Gravis Inkasso both based in Switzerland and working on behalf of European City Guide. They aggressively harass European City Guide victims, constantly threatening legal action against anyone who refuses to pay money on their disputed contracts.
Anyone receiving communication from European City Guide or their agents is invited to complain to the Spanish authorities. The addresses to write to are shown below.