Typically a small business might be asked by a fake publisher to contribute to a crime prevention booklet, wall charts or drug awareness book.
Businesses are usually approached by telephone, with their number sometimes being taken straight from the telephone book.
The calls are unsolicited and aimed at catching the recipient by surprise.
Those behind the scam repeat the message in their calls that by signing up they are helping a good cause - often posing questions like: "do you agree that children need better drugs education?"
They repeatedly stress that it is for a good cause, to make the victim feel guilty.
Of course as with any approach for money over the phone, you should be sceptical, and if you have any doubts contact your local Trading Standards office, Citizens Advice Bureau or even the police.
Be wary of anyone cold calling you asking you to place an advertisement in a Wall Planner, Diary, Children's Fun Book, Drug Awareness Book, Magazine for Emergency Services Personnel, or other publication.
They usually claim to be calling on behalf of or associated with a charity who will receive a donation or free books for resale.
Alternatively they may be claiming to be from one of the emergency services or promising to distribute their magazine to an audience such as off duty emergency services personnel.
How to avoid becoming the victim of a scam
DON'T agree to place an advert over the telephone unless you are absolutely happy with the publisher with whom you are dealing and 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.
DON'T feel guilty - there are other ways of giving to charity.
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 (a suggested list of questions is below).
DO get details including the number of any charity mentioned and check this with the Charity Commission
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.
Source:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/breakfast/4647512.stm
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