More small businesses based in Warwickshire are being threatened by fraudsters operating publication scams.
Businesses are cold called and offered advertising space in bogus anti-bullying, drugs (or similar) publications. The callers sometimes claim they are working with the Police, Fire Service or other Government services and that the publications will be distributed to schools. In reality, these bogus publications are not being produced with the agreement of any Government service and have little or no circulation, meaning that the advertising is worthless. The fraudsters use cleverly worded sales pitches to trick businesses in to agreeing to buy advertising space when they would otherwise not have done so. In some cases fraudsters cold call businesses and claim the business has already agreed to pay for advertising, even when they have not. These calls can be very threatening.
Business owners are advised to alert their staff to this scam. More information
- Make a scam/rogue trader complaint to Trading Standards via Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133 .
- Warwickshire Trading Standards Website Facebook Twitter
- Sign up to scam alerts at www.warwickshire.gov.uk/scams
- Avoid rogue traders. Use Warwickshire Trading Standards No Rogue Traders Here approved trader scheme
- Please feel free to pass on or re-publish this email alert