Warning to Other Businesses – Our Experience with White Business Pages Online Directories

Warning to Other Businesses – Our Experience with White Business Pages Online Directories

This review is based on our company's experience.

In 2017, we received a call from a representative claiming to be from White Business Pages Online Directories. We were told they were simply updating our business information. During the call, I specifically asked more than once whether there would be any cost involved, and I was clearly assured that the update was free of charge.

Despite those assurances, we later received an invoice for approximately R6,000 for a service we never knowingly agreed to purchase.

We immediately disputed the invoice and requested a copy of the telephone recording, as we believe it would confirm that no costs were disclosed and that we did not agree to a paid service. Despite repeated requests, we have never been provided with the recording.

The amount claimed has continued to increase over the years:

- 2017: Invoice for approximately R6,000 - 2020: Final demand for R9,540 - 2022: Amount increased to R16,591 - 2025: We received an email stating that our company would be listed with the credit bureau unless we paid a "settlement amount" of R23,553.20 - 2026: The amount being claimed has now increased to R25,082

At no stage did we knowingly agree to a paid listing or authorize these charges. We remain of the view that no valid agreement for a paid service was concluded.

We are sharing our experience to encourage other businesses to exercise caution. If you receive a similar call, ask for all terms, conditions, and pricing in writing before agreeing to anything. If a company claims you entered into an agreement over the phone, ask for a complete copy of the call recording and any documentation they rely on.

This review reflects our company's experience and is intended to help other businesses be aware of the situation.