Please make sure you check the small print before signing anything related to the exhibition you have signed up for. Exhibitors are being targeted by companies claiming to be, or work with, event exhibitions. They use existing event branding and may appear genuine.
Organisations such as Event Fair, FairGuide.com/Construct Data Verlag, Expo Guide and International Fairs Directory 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 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 you remain vigilant when signing documents seemingly related to events.
If you do fall victim to this scam the advice from the AEO is to completely ignore them, 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. You can find further information about Expo-Guide and Fairguide.com on the Association of Event Organiser’s website.
Should you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to get in touch.