I filed a complaint with the BBB, and Lori Peterson replied:

"This is the reason why we have these recordings. It is to clarify that we are not misleading clients into receiving an invoice. It is clearly stated what our company name is, and that we are not affiliated with any other telephone directory. We also state the price of the invoice, and we ask if the person we are speaking with has the authority to approve this."

Sounds like fraud to me.

We had a similar, albeit much less threatening experience with Public Yellow Pages.

I answered a call sometime in late 2011 (Sept-Dec, not sure when exactly) about a free yellow pages ad. At first, I declined but the woman assured me it was free so I verified our information. I told her I did not have authorization and could transfer her to someone who could - I think she managed to weasel out of me some sort of yes. Fast foward this month. I get a bill for $676.80. $599.99 for an advertisement and other fees for being late and admin fees. I know we did not order this. Looked up what this was, found out it was a scam.

Still worried, I called the number and told the rep calmly that I knew it was a scam, was contacting the BBB and my Attorney General, and expected the charges to be removed from our "account". Then I hung up. Never got a single call from them or debt collector impersonations.

Went back and forth through the BBB with Lori Peterson, Public Relations Manager at lori.peterson@publicyellowpages.com.

She rejected my request to have the charges removed, all information on us deleted with them, close our account, and never contact us again. Kept insisting that the "proof" they had was valid and the call recording was a 3rd party recording with good government standing and not edited.

Again, I called her out on the BS and that we knew it was a scam. I said in the letter we had contacted the Attorney General and FTC and filed complaints. About an hour later - what do you know,

"After further review of _________'s account with us, I have requested to cancel this account and remove the charges that were on it. They will no longer be receiving any phone calls from our company."

Just alert the BBB, Attorney General and FTC (they all have online forms - or at least my state's did). Tell them when you file the BBB complaint that you have already filed complaints with the other two. I think the FTC is the big push that gets them to make everything go away.

Good luck to anyone dealing with this. My experience was only somewhat annoying.

Be aware that they have changed their name, probably to avoid FTC investigation, and have started new lures as Yellow Pages United. "located" at:

PO Box 53282
Atlanta GA 30355-1282
T:1-888-311-1410
F:1-866-443-7679

The also list a new website of www.BizYellow.com

We just got a flyer in the mail from then asking about a listing with them - while this crap with Public Yellow Pages was going on.

I LOLed.

They do have an F rating from the BBB with 481 complaints in the last 3 years. (The only internet marketing co. to be in this category)

UPDATE - so overall I have been ignoring the invoices and calls but I admit I am appalled by their arrogance. I got 2 calls today from "Collection agencies" regarding my "Account" so I filed a complaint with the BBB. I got an initial response from PYP with this response
"Public Yellow Pages is dedicated to ensuring all of our clients receive the highest level of service from us. We strive to also implement the most effective customer service satisfaction to our existing clients and our future ones as well. We take each complaint very seriously and find ways to reach the best possible resolution while keeping our clients interests and our own in mind.

After reviewing the complaint and Mr. Lunt?s account, we disagree with his complaint.

We do have a verbal authorization with Mr. Lunt which we clearly state the price of the invoice and asked if he is authorized to accept and approve this.  We will be happy to play the recording back for him or to a BBB representative.

If Mr. Lunt would like to cancel this service, upon full payment, we will close out this account and not renew the listing for any future services."

I responded by stating that my State's Department of Justice has confirmed to me that this is a scam and I have reported it to the FTC as well. I am waiting for a response.

Love this..I think I am going to give him a call...Thanks :)

these posts are a trip.  I work at the corporate office of a company that has many branch locations.  They got the invoice and contacted me about it.  YP scams are fun.  Those doctored recordings are so good too.  I like to call Patrick at PYP every 3-5 days.  I have him pull up the account, and offer to give him my address and nicely ask him to mail me an invoice and I will be sure to get it to the powers that be and we'll get you paid.  Fat chance he'll ever mail it.  maybe if I call him enough he'll get sick of me.  Call my buddy Patrick Walters at 646-370-2958.  Just chat, ask him how is day is going. Ask him about the view from his fat office on the 26th floor of the Chrysler building is treating him.  Maybe I'll ask him if he can mail me a copy of the recording and then I'll pay.   I'll even offer to send him a self address envelop.  we'll see how it goes.

It might be better to save it for your plea bargain, don't you think?

i agree with you

4 $500

i can tell you all d information at d FBI

We had exactly the same thing happen as "Stop These Crooks".  They played a voice recording of one of our secretaries authorizing the charge.  She knows she did not authorize any charge, but probably did say "yes" to verify company information.  She was new and thought it was a listing we already had.  We believe they dubbed in the questions with her "yes" answers.  They are located at 405 Lexington Ave, Chrysler Bldg, 26th Floor, New York.  They have been faxing and mailing bills, calling and threatening us with a collection agency.

I also went through the NY BBB. Lori Peterson disputed the claim and wanted to make arrangements for a payment. She indicated that she would wave the late payment charges.Then I finally received an invoice. The invoice was wrong and the account closure number was actually the invoice number  Needless to say it was official "I was pissed" I went to the Public Yellow Pages and tried to look up my company. I couldn't find it under any listing, the company name, or any portion of the company name. I could find it using reverse look up using the phone number.  I replied to the NY BBB that I would not accept the response from PYP. I told them that" If they could only find my company by a reverse look up, then they had not provided an advertising service. If the person has the company number, he knows what I do.Why is he looking me up." Also that the listing was wrong and that I was not a "wholesaler." I also included that if they replied to me directly it would be a violation of the FDCPA.  It wasn't 24 hours later that the response came through the NY BBB. Charges Removed, Account Closed.

Got a letter from Yellow Pages Public (just a twist on the older Public Yellow pages of other older posts).  They too wanted 599.99 plus three months interest, and threatened collections in two weeks unless it is paid.  The phone number for this scam is 888-920-5199.  And as in older posts, the address to send your money is the 26 floor of 405 Lexington Ave, NY NY.  This is the Chrysler building and the 26th floor is for virtual offices.  

And I too heard the recording with my Admin Assistant's voice on it.  So I too will notify the FTC and our states AG, BBB, and any other alphabet agency that will listen.  Caveat emptor... buyer beware.

UPDATE.  I filed a complaint with the FTC and the BBB and godaddy as well as domainsbyproxy.  I have only heard back from BBB.  At first, a Lori Peterson tried to claim the recording they have as my contract.  In my reply, I stated again that the recording is fraudulent and I let "her" know that I reported them to the FTC.  She responded back in 5 minutes to say after further review, they will waive all charges and delete me from their records.  Don't waste your time talking to these people.

Richard Webber gets a little tongue tied when you call him and harrass him. It was pretty fun to turn the table on his fast talking self. TOTAL SCAM!

Got the same as everyone else here.  Today I got a new one from " Yellow Pages Prime".  Must be the same crowd with a different name.

Same thing happened to me.  Cut and pasted phone conversation.  I spoke to them in december to contest the validity of their "contract", which they said they had in writing. Then they faxed an invoice again today and I called to dispute it again, they now said the contract was a recording...they played it back to me and it was my voice from december (when I called to dispute).  They cut and spliced my voice and someone else's I think to make it sound as though I agreed to a contract.  Very evil people

Do not speak with this company.  I do not know if they actually report to the credit agencies.  In my case, this is a company called Public Yellow Pages.  they are not the yellow pages.  they called me in december saying I owed a past due amount for a contract.  I asked to see the contract.  They said I needed to speak with their legal dept.  After much back and forth, we finally hung up, with me expecting for them to send me a copy of the contract and to cancel any services they think they are providing me.  I got a fax today about a past due invoice.  I called the company and again asked for a copy of the signed contract.  Now they said the contract was a recording and proceeded to play it for me.  What played was my voice answering questions that were never actually asked of me and they made it sound as if I agreed to a contract.  I said my conversations in december were to CANCEL this supposed contract not initiate a new one!!!!  So now they have "me" on recording appearantly agreeing to this contract.  Please do not call these people.  I don't think they do anything to you, they are just hoping someone catches the bait and actually sends in money.  After this phone call today, I googled them.  Wish I had done so before.  Scam listings all over the palce!

Same story here. Filed a complaint with the BBB (they have an F rating), State Department of Justice, etc. What makes them a scam is this: they sound like any other online listing caller. They "just want to confirm your business information so they can list you on their site". They ask you a series of yes or no questions: Is your business name "XXX"? Yes  Are you located at "XXX"? Yes...... Do you agree to pay invoice # "XXX"? Yes  OOops.  But, they've never even presented you with invoice "XXX".

Unfortunately they do not back down. We sent them a certified letter telling them we do not agree to the contract, but if there is one, we hereby cancel it. If you cancel a contract in writing, they cannot simply renew it without your permission, over and over. They do that to scare you into thinking that if you dont pay, your bill will just multiply over and over.

Where is 20/20? 60 minutes? etc.

They called and insisted I had $599 due or they would send me to collections.  Good thing I went online. The "collection agent" who called me is Tyler Wood, his phone number is 646-370-2958 or 1-800-881-9495 ext 415.  Harass him if you want to. Mess with him.  They won't leave us alone.  They have a recorded convo in which they said I authorized them.  They EDIT that convo.  anyway call him and bug him.

I have gone through the same as most of you.The fist call was 11.18.2011 from area code 919-301-0759 lady gave her name as Rachel.The same yes and no answers only then a cancelation number which had to be quoted after the invoice (never arrived to this date) was received to cancel the free listing update.Received a call from a collection agency Area code 702-708-1000  on .4.4.2012.I told her to call back as the line was very bad and that I was recording the call to send to the texas AG. She told me that I had no right to record the call without her permission.So now we wait and see what happens next.

Just an update! I filed a complaint with the New York BBB last night and I already got a message back from the mediator. He got a message from the Public Yellow Pages that they are clearing our account. I better not hear from them again!

I am so relieved. I highly recommend putting in as many complaints as possible to the BBB.

They claim I owe for advertising, they have never sent me a bill and I do not advertise my business.
I have reported them to the FTC

We've been getting calls from Jake.  These idiots called back in October of 2011 - (800) 881-9495 and (917) 522-1822.  They talked to my pre-teen daughter when we were at work, harassing her with 3 phone calls that day, telling her to answer questions only with "yes" or "no".  Even though she told them she had nothing to do with a company and told them that she was our daughter, they recorded her voice and cut and pasted (they played it for us later when they began calling us for the $599.00.  First of all, the recording is obviously of a child's voice - they HAD to have known they were not talking to an adult.  Second, we dissolved our business in August of 2011, it didn't even exist anymore, why would we seek/approve advertising?  The company is called Public Yellow Pages and is located at 405 Lexington Avenue (Chrysler Building) 26th floor in New York, NY.  What a scam.  We've called the FBI and our local Police Department.  We are registering a complaint with the BBB in New York, and the FTC.  What else can we do?  They will NOT be getting a single cent from us!  Once I found all these websites dedicated to exposing these frauds, I am no longer worried about it - they aren't worth my time or energy.

Hi all,

I just want to say that the last post by me up above that says that I paid my bill to get them off my back is completely untrue and was not written by me. We just got another fax this week from the legal team at PYP saying that we are going to collections. I have filed a police report and called the FTC twice. I think we all need to get 60 minutes on this or another major news show. I am going to research it tomorrow and come back to post some ideas. I am so angry with these people! Since I first posted there are so many more people on here. There was only 1 page then and now there are three! It's ridiculous!

I believe that the Public Yellow Pages is trying to defraud me for the sum of $676.80.
I received a call in 2009 from the Public Yellow Pages indicating the would give me a
year of free advertisement on their website. I agreed to the proposal. It was not until
November 20th of 2011 that I was contacted by them indicating they had moved me to a
Premium Business Package in 2010 and owed them 599.99. They did not ask if I
wanted this service.

Even if I had requested the service, they provided no information on the package which
allowed me to change the appearance and information I used to advertise my company,
They did not provide me with an initial ID or password to the aforementioned account.

I agreed to pay the invoice if they would send me a hard copy. I was asked if I would pay by
credit card. I declined and requested the invoice. I didn't hear from them for another 4 months.
A Mr. Jake Green contacted me indicating I was 126 days delinquent and wanted to make
arrangements for payment. I asked about the invoice and was told I was sent 4 of them. When I questioned why I never received the I was told ?Maybe your postman doesn't like you. I received the invoice via e-mail and found it had been altered. It showed none of the interest that I was supposed to have accumulated for the 126 days delinquent. The final sums had just been changed. The I had the  attorney for the company contact them. I was again called by Mr. Jake Green. He had received the
e-mail but indicated ? Lawyers believe they have more power than they really do.? and wanted to make arrangements for a payment. I asked him if I could explain the situation, but he said that he didn't want to hear War and Peace. I told him if he wouldn't hear me out that I would not be willing to pay. He said that he was turning the matter over to a third party. (I'll assume a collections agent.)

So far I've reported them to my State Attorney General, the FTC, the NY BBB, and the USPS. The USPS wasn't for them mailing me something. It's was for a failure to deliver a specific piece of mail.
I have a call into the NY State Attorney General's Office to get an answer on which form would cover this. And finally my attorney is getting CC: on all of this

This is the way the scam works:
1.) initial call, they get you to answer a series of yes or know questions

2.) they wait several months, then call saying you owe a bill (aprox $599.00) they will have an audio recording of your voice (or an employee) agreeing to the services, the recording is fake and has been edited.  They will threaten you with collections and smearing your credit.  They will try to bully you into "settling" at this point.  DON"T PAY A DIME!!!

3.) a few weeks will go by and they will once again contact you posing as an attorney, again Don't pay them.  AT this point they may call you back from time to time.



file a compliant with the following:
BBB
USPS (if you have gotten mail from them)
Your state attorney general
The state attorney general where they say they are (in my case NY)
FTC

I wish I had seen this earlier. I just got a call with the same thing. I am being charged $599.99 for a supposed 2 year service I had approved. When I confronted the first guy as to why I needed to pay and try to clarify that he said he would transfer me and then the call was cut off. A little later again the same lady that called me the first time calls me again. This time she transfers me to a women to what she said was to cancel the service.
When Dolores answered, she asked me to spell my last name to verify the spelling. My mistake, I went ahead and spelled it out. When they asked me if they had the correct address, and gave me one where my business used to be, I corrected it for the new one.
I was also asked to answer yes or no to several questions. The first lady said to just tell them to send the paperwork to my home, and that I did not have to pay anything. The second lady, Dolores, tries to get a payment from me at that time, with a special gift if I did. So I just told her to send the paper work.
I was just scammed. Anyone no how to fix this? or where to report this?
The phone numer I got the call from was 1682 300 2403. According to my caller id it is from Arlington Tx. And they call them selves the "yellow pages public." I looks like they moved and have a different number now.

These people are thief! thief! thief to the highest power. They called my business place every day telling me that i owed Yellow Page money. I have no contact with YELLOW PAGE. The fax information i received identified his name as Jake Green (Collection Agent), Phone: 1(800)881-9495 ext 407,
Fax: 1(646)530-8774, Company Name Public Yellow Pages. They are thief! thief!

Thank you to everyone that is on here! So glad i found this site AS I was talking on the phone to Public Yellow Pages guy... needless to say he hung up on me!

Remember to report these people!

yes , i too have had theses idiots call me telling me that i owed them 599.99
i told them ur crazy, i never authorized this they then played a recording which i still didnt authorize any kind of payment, this is a scam and for his sake he better not ever callme back again!!