800-222-5529

According to searches online they are hard to turn down because of their incessant calling and refusal to take 'no' for an answer. Even when people do say no they are still signed up and billed $49.95. This site uses google maps to place businesses and services in local areas (zip codes presumably) which google already does. But people have to go to their website to search, it is not inserted into google itself. It would appear to be a scam. They also appear to be parented by a company called 'Lawstar' which has no less than 6 addresses listed on the Better Business Bureau website. The BBB gives all 6 of them a rating of "F". This defines the company, per the Better Business Bureau, as questioning "the company’s reliability for reasons such as that they have failed to respond to complaints, their advertising is grossly misleading, they are not in compliance with the law’s licensing or registration requirements, their complaints contain especially serious allegations, or the company’s industry is known for its fraudulent business practices." I'd say that's pretty definite. Their primary contact is listed as Mark Cave, President. Other contacts are Debra Allen, Manager; Don Marinari, Chairman of the Board; Julie Agapay, Administrative Assistant; Katherine Manglona, CFO; Bo Sohrabi, Attorney Liason; David Harris, unknown. Primary phone number is listed as 888-529-7526. Other phone numbers are 888-775-9400, 800-460-0078, 323-525-3900, 800-222-5529, 800-984-6666, 310-691-7419, 800-886-4529.

Add another number to joe's list: 800-793-7141

Another call from 1-800-222-5529.

Offered 30 days free on internet search engines to prove how we could have a jump in our business from the exposure .  After 30 days $49.95 charged on telephone bill.  I didn't agree of course. Company BCYB from Encino Calfornia.

I got a call from 800 222 5529 identifiying itself as BCYB and promising free exposure on search engines for 30 days. Stupidly, I agreed. What do I do now?? I called the number and the customer service person said I was not in their system, so did not have to worry. Of course I had to tell them my phone number in order for her to check.  If anyone knows what to do, please tell me!

To see if they did list you, go to this website: www.zipwideweb.com Depending on your business type, do a search for companies in your zipcode.
Also call your phone company & see if they can put a "miscellaneous third-
party block" on your phone. I'm in Illinois & my landline is with AT&T.
When I called & asked for this service they were very helpful.  This service is called "cram protection."  It blocks third party companies, such as this one, from putting these charges on your phone bill.  Watch your phone bill very carefully.  Another number this company goes under is
800-793-7141. From research I did, I found they have many numbers they use.
I visited the BBB site for California, which is where they are located, &
they have many complaints filed against them. In many cases, they did this
to people without their agreeing. Then you don't get the "info package"
they promise, with the cancellation phone number; a couple of months go by
& you forget (I think they hope that) & then suddenly your phone bill is whacked by 50 bucks. If your phone company has cram protection go for it.

Thanks, Phyl. I will call the phone company. I also sent a certified letter to BCYB in California, to the address they listed, repeating that I do not wish to be listed or to receive any services from them. I am definitely keeping watch on my phone bill.

I own a business in California and am being charged $49.95 per month, an an ongoing basis, for an internet service I did NOT authorize, or know anything about, until it showed up on my AT&T statement in September 2007.  I called both AT&T and the USA Business Directory last month, and told them to reverse the charges and cancel the monthly billing -- the agreed to do it.  However, the $49.95 showed up on my statement a second time in October 2007.  I called USA Business Directory today and they refused to stop the billing because they said "one of my employees authorized it".

Hourly employees answer the phone at our retail shop, and they routinely give out their name to callers.  USA Business Directory claims they have "Shellie's approval".  Neither Shellie, or any of my other employees, have authority to approve billing to my business account.  This billing was the result of an inbound telemarketing slamming call in August 2007.

The fraudulent charges are from:
The Billing Resource -- 888-296-8079
On behalf of:  USA Business Directory -- 800-222-5529
The "supervisor" I spoke with at USA Business Directory was Richard at Ext 205.  He would not give his last name.

Amount of charge:  $49.95 PER MONTH. They billed me in September and again in October 2007.  I have filed a complaint with the BBB and the California Public Utilities Commission.

I posted over at:  https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-800-793-7141 and Google let me to this page as well.  Thanks for the detailed information on these scammers and crammers. It helps all of us in dealing with these scuzzy scammers in trying to steal our hard earned profits for useless products and services.

As mentioned on the other linked page - we NEVER answer any calls that call up on caller ID as an 800 number.  It is a violation of our company policy.  We train each employee to look at the caller ID and if it is an 800 number to let it go to voice mail to validate the call.  You can not be scammed if you do not answer the phone and that goes for spam and junk faxes and anything else thugs try in reaching you.

BTW:  That is an excellent idea on having a Cram Block put on the line.  I wonder if Verizon offers it.

yeah i keep getting calls from this number, sometimes even as late as 830 PM. I usually don't answer it, but if I do, there is that normal telemarketing "pause" and i hear a voice say Hello after a few seconds and then hang up. Sometimes i think the person starts off by asking those annoying questions about wanting to speak to the person in charge of advertising for the co. or something that and when you say they aren't available, they immediately start asking ME the questions about the name of the co ("to verify")  i've gotten to the point if i've stupidly taken this call to just say I don't have time to talk to you take me off your list and then hang up.  a block on these annoying calls would be fabulous!  does the donotcall.gov site work for calls like this ??

I have been getting calls from this number for about two weeks.  As well as 1-800-793-7141.  They asked asked me a whole bunch of questions about my company.  They then offered 30 days worth of free web search engine exposure.  At the end of the conversation I told the guy I was not interested.  It was pathetic.  He wouldn't take no for an answer. I even asked for information about his website.  When I looked at the website while I had the guy on the phone I told him know because I couldn't believe how cheesy the website was. I am worried that he is going to start invoiceing me for something.  After finding all these articles about this company scamming people I called the main number 1-800-222-5529 and told them I wanted to make sure this guy didn't sign me up for something I said no too.  The first person to answer the phone call was arrogant and hung up the phone on me.  I called back and was assured that as long as I said no they wouldn't bill me for anything.  Somehow I don't believe it. I have been trying to get more information about the company but the BBB has no listings about this company.  Can anyone help?  I read one of the articles and it said lawstar was the parent company.  BBB has no record of this company.

We get calls from 800-222-5529 every day, multiple times a day.  We're a salon and I'm the receptionist 4 out of the 7 days we're open so it's incredibly annoying to go through my whole spiel ("Thank you for calling... this is... how can I help you?") only to get someone hanging up on me.  I'm going to take Don's advice and just not answer calls from 800/888 numbers anymore.  It's a waste of time... I'd rather hear the phone just ring.

I got a call from 800 222 5529 promising free exposure on search engines for 30 days. Ignorantly, I agreed.  I told my girlfriend about it and she freaked out and did research that lead her to this site.   We will call AT&T tomorrow and get signed up for this cram protection thanks to Phyl's advice.  We will simply block third party companies, such as this one, from putting these charges on our phone bill and hopefully beat them at their own game!

We are a small law firm, and have been getting multiple calls daily from this number. I usually pick up on speaker, mute the phone, and walk away, to hold them up. Since they won't give up, I'm going to block this number. I'm sure they'll try again from another number, so I'll continue to block whatever number they call from. I'm glad I found your posts; thank you all so much!

Why are these scams allowed to exist? The perpetrators of these scams need to be thrown in jail, and law enforcement should repossess all of their assets, everything...leave them broke and penniless - it's the only way they will stop.

800-222-5529

And why does AT&T participate in these scams? Isn't AT&T almost as guilty? I thought AT&T was trying to change their image - it won't be done this way - it will only make AT&T customers angry and look elsewhere for products and services.

SMARTEN UP AT&T!!!!!

I got this same phone call a few minutes ago.  After the lady explained the free web exposure and got my name, title and company address, she explained that a rep. from their company will contact me within 30 days to see how this was working for our company.  Then she proceeded to tell me that the cost is $49.95 per month and will be added to our phone bill after the free 30 days.  I told her that I do not authorize this charge and it better not show up on our company phone bill.  Then I came to this site to get more info.  From now on, I will not answer  800 calls and will let it go to voicemail.  If they are one of our regular vendors, they will leave a detailed message and I will call them back.  Also, I contact Verizon to get the cram protection service.  The cost through Verizon is a one time fee of $20 but luckily the rep. informed me that we already had cram protection on our phone line.

Do these detestible vermin ever think I would buy anything they offered after they've spammed me to death? They need to be imprisoned ASAP.

Obvious spammers, and they're scammers also - a combination that needs a long prison sentence. Reopen Alcatraz and have them become the first new inmate.

Have gotten several calls from 800-222-5529.  I don't pick up incoming 800 calls, they never leave a message.

Promises of "free" 30 day web ad and cancel within 30 days no charge.  After which $49.95 would be charged to my AT&T account.  Promise of top listing and easy cancellation.  Just call back at 1-800-222-5529 to stop service.  After numerous unsuccessful attempts to reach someone to cancel this service, I found this site.  I immediatley contacted AT&T to inquire about any "cram protection" from 3rd party billing.  They do not offer anything like this here in California, however they advised that should the unauthorized $49.95 charges show up on my bill all I need to do is call and they will take off the charges.  They did note my complaint on my account.  They suggested to file a complaint with the PUC.  If and when any bogus charges show up on my bill, you can bet I will file with the PUC.  I would be interested in hearing from anyone who has been successful in getting these clowns brought to justice!