[david@zap-clean]

A company called 'exel' is cold-calling saying they could get my website in top 3 placings of google search, guaranteed, for £100 per year (via their on-line directory).

I think this is complete BS - beware.

[wayne zabel]

I have one of these calls around once a month.

[JandS]

More like once a week.

[david@zap-clean]

I have one of these calls around once a month.

If they'd have said £2000 per year I might have believed them, maybe!

[Mike Gwilliam]

Google regards paid for online directories as paid for links which can get your site penalized.

Not from me...from Matt Cutts

With that in mind, I would tell them to stick it where it belongs and who ever calls, I would tell them to look for a new job while their still putting food on the table for the family 

[Darran Pryce]

More like once every other day.  I get others saying I'm from Google and I see your website is on page 8 or higher.  I let them say their rubbish, then I say, "you can't be doing your homework, were on page 1 for major keywords"

No your not they say... I say type in carpet cleaners Leeds, window cleaners leeds, gutter cleaners leeds, end of tenancy cleaners leeds, and i can go on and on...

They always say, one minute, I can hear them typing in keys words what I have said.  They come back and say, oh okay and put the phone down.

They are real pests.  

Google would not ring you about getting your website on page 1!

[davep]

Yes they do - to verify local map listings.

[jim mca]

I got a letter today from Germany asking for my vat registration number if you send it to them then you become liable for a £750 bill to have a paid listing in there directory 

[Darran Pryce]

Yes that's true, but Google don't ring you and say we can SEO your site, and your on page x ... that's what my reply was about, not about verifying just as the question wasn't on about verifying.

[tony bish]

Jim I got one of those as well ......

[tony bish]

I got a letter today from Germany asking for my vat registration number if you send it to them then you become liable for a £750 bill to have a paid listing in there directory 

Jim out of curiosity how do you know thats what will happen ie £750  mate as it didnt give any details only VAT details. 

[jim mca]

Tony

Its £797 read the section order on the second page on the first page it says you can update your details for free but by filling in and sending back page 2 then you are placing an order and will be billed annually and must be given by registered letter with 3 months notice.

[Peter Lynch]

Hi David,

This sounds like the line I fell for ...
check out this post on it
http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=175467.msg1481506#msg1481506

Peter

[tony bish]

Tony

Its £797 read the section order on the second page on the first page it says you can update your details for free but by filling in and sending back page 2 then you are placing an order and will be billed annually and must be given by registered letter with 3 months notice.

Oh right ,I must admit Jim I tore the bl**dy thing up before I got to that ..scamming barstewards

[JandS]

Why would you send your VAT number to Germany??

[tony bish]

Why would you send your VAT number to Germany??

well exactly !! i dont think it says Germany until you look at the envelope address.

[Neil Williams]

I got a letter today from Germany asking for my vat registration number if you send it to them then you become liable for a £750 bill to have a paid listing in there directory 

I got that one yesterday too.
Went straight in the bin because we are no longer Vat registered, and yes noticed the address at the bottom of the letter along with the envelope.
No doubt some people will have caught out though

[Richard Meads]

I got one of those letters too, they must be focusing on carpet cleaners. Details here:

https://www.nottinghamshirealert.co.uk/da/67391/VAT_Registration_number_Letter_Scam.html