Bradford Chamber of Commerce is supporting efforts to outlaw scam business directories that charge firms for bogus entries.

The body, which represents 1,100 firms and warns firms against being duped by the bogus publications, has welcomed moves by the European Parliament to clamp down on them.

West Yorkshire MEP Richard Corbett has campaigned for measures against directory scams such as the European City Guide, which had admitted to issuing six million forms a year, and welcomed a vote by MEPs who this week adopted by a big majority a report calling for them to be outlawed.

Mr Corbett said: “Over the years these scams have made millions of pounds and have bullied thousands of people all over Europe.

“This report will hopefully offer some small consolation to the victims but is a big step forward in working to eradicate the scams.

“It is now up to the European Commission to ensure every EU country takes these scams to task and follows the example of Austria who have outlawed the practices used by the likes of European City Guide, Construct Data, NovaChannel AG and many more.

“It’s been a long battle to get the issue acknowledged at European level and I know the scams will not give up easily but the vote sends out a clear message to the scams: the way you operate is unacceptable and illegal.”

Mr Corbett said the scams, which target businesses, voluntary groups, sports clubs and even churches, appeared to offer a free listing but, in fact, the true cost, hidden in the small print, was £900 for an advertisement.

The ‘contract’ was almost impossible to cancel with the victims being pursued by the companies and their related debt collection agencies.

Mr Corbett advised firms that had mistakenly signed up to explain they had been misled and refuse to pay and to bin unsolicited forms.

Balbir Panesar, Bradford Chamber president, said: “Many businesses are now wise to the dodgy schemes and attempts to obtain easy money but there’s always a new ruse just around the corner.”