Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service is warning businesses to be aware of a scam in which rogue publishers are offering advertising space in a publication they claim they are producing on behalf of the Service.
The rogue publishers make unsolicited telephone calls to businesses, in particular small businesses, doctors' surgeries and dental practices offering advertising space in publications such as diaries, wall planners and crime prevention booklets.
The cost of the 'advert' can range from £50 to anything up to £1000. However, once you have paid you'll find the publication either doesn't exist or only a handful of copies are printed. Generally, if the call is bogus, the caller will only provide a PO box address and the phone number will be blocked.
Tim Bevington, Head of Planning, Performance and Communications for the Service, says: "We do not, as a rule, engage third party publishing companies to create publications and sell advertising space on our behalf. When we heard about this current scam from a vigilant Macclesfield business owner we took advice from Trading Standards and Consumer Direct NW, who work closely on consumer issues, on what to do to prevent being caught out by these rogue publishers."
If you receive an unsolicited call from a publishing company:
REMEMBER, a contract can be verbal so stop and think before you agree to anything
Businesses which may have been targeted in this way are urged to be extremely cautious and not to pay for or agree to place an advertisement without being completely certain of the authenticity of the publishing company. If an invoice or a demand for payment for an advertisement that's not been placed is received, please contact Consumer Direct NW on 03454 040506 as soon as possible.
TarvinOnline is powered by our active community.
Please send us your news and views.