World - It's been doing the rounds in one form or another for years, but it's not going away and companies are still at risk of being taken in by it. The 'Expo Guide' scammers send forms which appear to be from a trustworthy source - in this case the PLASA Show organisers, PLASA Events Ltd - and encourage companies to complete and return the form to validate their data with the event organiser.

Harmless enough, you are supposed to think, but the small print will tell you that by signing and returning the form you are agreeing to have your details listed on the Expo Guide website at a cost of 1271 euros per year for the next three years. And if you don't pay, they will pursue you.

In the past the scam has been run from a number of different countries; the latest forms to come to our attention have been sent from Mexico. All the mailings include a pre-paid business reply envelope, carrying an address in France - so you could return the blank forms at the fraudsters' expense - not forgetting to ask them to recycle the contents.

All PLASA Members, PLASA Show exhibitors or anyone else who thinks they may be on PLASA's database are reminded to be cautious about any such request for data. Always read the small print, and if you are in any doubt, contact your regional PLASA office.

(Lee Baldock)


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