Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

at 06/11/2008 14:58

Cornwall County Council is warning local businesses about a scam involving advertising in publications supposedly for Cornwall County Fire Brigade.

Several businesses throughout Cornwall have already been approached by phone to advertise in a range of publications, from leaflets to magazines, allegedly being produced on behalf of Cornwall County Fire Brigade with proceeds to The Fire Fighters Charity. The caller attempts to persuade the business owner to advertise there and then over the phone. When questioned for a contact number the caller has given fake contact details.

Ted Simpson, Deputy Chief Officer from Cornwall County Fire Brigade has confirmed that this is not true and the publications do not actually exist. The caller is trying to scam money out of local businesses.

If any business has been approached and has lost money to this scam please contact Cornwall Trading Standards on 0845 122 7000, selecting option 2. In the meantime businesses are being advised to follow the suggested good practice to protect themselves from these types of scams in the future:

DON’T agree to place an advert over the telephone unless you are sure of the identity of the publisher with whom you are dealing and are clear about what you are being offered.
DON’T speak to them unless you’ve got time to ask all the questions you want.
DON’T agree to something to get rid of them – you could be making a binding agreement.
DON’T take their word for it that you have placed an order previously or that someone in your organisation has agreed to take an order– this is a ploy used by some companies to trick you.
DO make it clear in ALL telephone calls that you are NOT placing an order – they often record the second “confirmation” phone call – this is carefully worded to sound like you are agreeing to the order even if you have just requested further information.
DO insist on seeing written details and a copy of the publisher's full terms and conditions before placing an order.
DO ask them some detailed questions about the publication.
DO get them to send you an example of a publication they have produced with details of its circulation – if they refuse DON’T agree to go any further.
DO make a record of all contact with these companies – time, date of calls, person you spoke to, what they said etc.
DO make sure all your staff know about this advice on dealing with these cold callers and to be aware of unsolicited invoices.