"Updating Your Free Directory Listing" for 100th time!

Can anyone explain this latest telephone spam

[jsinger]

Our company sometimes gets three or four phone calls a day about updating our "free directory listing."

Callers almost always have Asian accents. When I say we're busy or not interested or whatever, they politely hang up. A few hours later we'll get a nearly identical call, but from a different person.

We're in many directories and phone books already.
Obviously they have our phone number and business name correct, but what are they really after? I presume they eventually try to up-sell to some paid service but these are far more aggressive than anything I've previously encountered in business. (we have certainly gotten a few legitimate calls like these over the years). Perhaps this is something else altogether.

A few times we've answered their questions, but the calls persist using different directory names. Very time consuming spam.

Ideas?

[Wlauzon]

We get a few of those also, and never really figured out exactly WHAT directory they claim to be updating.

[jsinger]

The calls all have the identical format which suggests that one entity is behind all of them. Mostly Indian accents. The directory names vary but i've never heard of any of them. "Hello, I'm calling from A.D.V. International [or something equally generic] and we're updating your free directory listing. Are you still located at 123 Main Street?" etc. etc.

My home recently showed up on one or two websites as a business address and now I'm getting the same kind of calls at home. Just got one that purported to be from the "Korean Business Directory" and the female caller sounded like she could be Korean, definitely not Indian. We have nothing to do with Korea.

[Old_Honky]

These are free directories that never get published, if you are daft enough to give them your details, then in a few weeks they'll be chasing you to upgrade to a paid for entry (which also never gets published). The best way to deal with these people is to treat them with no respect and be as offensive as you possibly can, remember they are trying to scam you.

A genuine directory will always tell you who they are and if you already deal with them they will ask you some sort of security question.

[arieng]

I've been receiving a lot of calls lately with a similar script.

"Hi, I just want to update your information for [insert name of very esoteric trade journal that I've never received]".

Always a foreign accent with the babble of an enormous call center in the background.

[LifeinAsia]

"Hi, I just want to update your information for [insert name of very esoteric trade journal that I've never received]".

My response would be, "Me no Englishee speaking!" then hang up.

[jsinger]

We got another such call today. Our employee, as instructed, got some info including their 800#

Using that number, I found several complaints about the company including this comment which pretty much summarizes the scam:

"I received a telemarketing phone call from this [directory] number and the salesman was talking very fast...

Now I have a charge on my AT&T bill of $49.99. I have called the number on my bill and they will not refund the 49.99.

This is just one more instance of a fraud using a telephone company or utility to handle its billing. People, ALWAYS EXAMINE YOUR PHONE BILLS CAREFULLY.

[Rugles]

There used to be this scam concerning hard copy business directories. They are asking you to verify your information so that they can get you to say the word "Yes".

Then they send you this telephone book sized hard cover directory. Of course they include the invoice for $400 for the directory. When you call to complain you never ordered the directory they play you the phone call (with some editing) showing that indeed somebody at your company ordered this directory. That is why they wanted you to confirm the information and say the word "Yes".

So that could be the scam they are trying.