I AM currently investigating complaints from constituents in regards to an advertising scam by the European City Guide. This Valencia-based operation is currently under investigation throughout Europe and in Spain ? it has been fined £200,000 for its fraudulent activities. The European City Guide is now targeting businesses in the South West with a cleverly worded communication which seems to request only their contact details but is so worded as, in fact, to form a contract for an advert in the guide. The businesses then receive an invoice from ECG for this advert which, if they refuse to pay, results in threats of legal action and the sending in of the debt collectors. I have asked the EU Commissioner for Consumer Protection and the Spanish Permanent Representation to the EU to take action to stop this fraudulent activity. I have also alerted all Trading Standards Offices in the South West to ECG?s advertising scam. If any business should receive a communication from the European City Guide, my advice is to contact Trading Standards as quickly as possible and pay nothing. Giles Chichester Conservative MEP for the South West and Gibraltar
