{"success":true,"data":{"id":"fake-business-directory-seo-invoice-scam","label":"Fake business directory SEO invoice scam — unsolicited invoice for Yellow Pages/Google Business/national directory listing + $350 annual fee + listing will be removed if unpaid + business never subscribed + invoice designed to trick accounts-payable staff","description":"Fake business directory invoice fraud — a persistent B2B scam targeting small business owners, their office managers, or accounts-payable staff who may not scrutinize all invoices. Fraudulent invoices are sent for directory listings, SEO services, or \"Google Business\" maintenance that were never ordered. The invoices are formatted to look official: they include invoice numbers, due dates, payment amounts ($200–$500/year), and threats that the \"listing will be removed\" if unpaid. Scammers exploit the possibility that the business does have some directory listing somewhere (almost all businesses do) to make the invoice seem plausible. Some variants impersonate well-known brands: \"Yellow Pages,\" \"Google Business Profile,\" or \"Bing Places.\" Key facts: (1) Google Business Profiles (formerly Google My Business) are completely free — any invoice claiming to maintain one is fraudulent; (2) Yellow Pages company (Thryv, Inc.) does sell advertising but sends invoices only to pre-existing paying customers — unsolicited invoice demands are not their practice; (3) The FTC and Better Business Bureau both maintain specific warnings about business directory invoice scams; (4) Under the US Mail Order Rule and analogous UK regulations, sending unsolicited invoices with intent to deceive is fraud. Real directory services (Yelp, Trustpilot, TripAdvisor) have free tiers and voluntary paid upgrades — they do not threaten removal for non-payment of unsolicited invoices. Businesses should maintain an approved vendor list and verify all invoices against purchase orders before payment.","tier":"danger","category":"scam","isThin":false}}