In their letters (see example) these so-say Internet registers or directories use visual and copy elements that could easily be mistaken as being associated with official directory and/or internet providers in Belgium.

The companies/organisations that fill in the details in the letter, then sign and send it back to the sender do so assuming that they are dealing with an official Belgian organisation. In actual fact, though, they are signing a purchase order for their details to be included in one or other online business “directory”. Having signed on the dotted line, as it were, they then receive an invoice and/or bank transfer request for the cost of including their details in the directory.

DNS.be advises individuals or businesses that receive letters or registration forms of this kind to go through them very carefully before sending back the signed form.

Unizo and the FPS Economy also warn about such practices on their website.

Futhermore, we already encountered this kind of practices in the past. An overview can be found here.