Advertising [TEXT DELETED BY FORUM TEAM]

minnow001

Had a telephone call on my mobile asking if my company would like to advertise in the local police mag. The call was from ESM community media. Is this yet another advertising scam? please advise.

omelette451

Have you tried googling the company that rang you? If they ring back ask for a contact name and ring the number in the phone book or on the website - if it's genuine you'll always be able to get the right person through the central switchboard.

If that doesn't work try ringing the police switchboard and ask who handles the advertising for their magazine. If you explain your reasons I'm sure they'll be willing to help - in any case it could be preventing a crime!

trisontana

This is a well know scam. Small businesses are contacted and are asked if they want to place adverts in publications supporting the police or fire service. Usually these magazines are never published, or if they are in very small numbers.

Another twist to the story is that when the business just says they might be interested, and they want more details before they say yes, the adverts still goes ahead. Then if that business refuses to pay up, they are threatened by debt collectors.

The companies that operate this scam mostly seem to located in the Manchester area. Several have been closed down by the authorities, but new ones are always opening up.

Tallymanjohn

There was a legitimate one of these a few years ago, I seem to recall the company was called Diamond Media, and I advertised in it - a wall calendar that was being distributed by the local police to all houses in the locality. It went quite well, but every year since then I've been getting unsolicited calls from other companies asking me to buy a 'sponsorship ad' (retired firefighters & such-like) in 'one-off' things like diaries, calendars etc. In every case I've checked out the organisation being sponsored do not know the company involved - it's just a scam & the usual line is 'you get an extra 10% off if you pay now by debit card' - that's the point at which I cut them off. There may well be legitimate ones out there but, as mentioned, Google the company and also ask for a back copy of the publication to see what you get for your money.

BFG_2

This fraud is second only to VAT fraud in the Northwest [HMRC]

It's the same handful of people behind all of them

sillyvixen

i had a call from someone selling advertising space for a police/fire service magazine - he asked to speak to the franchise owner, when i told him we were a company run store he hung up! i think its a scam, advertising companys usually try to get head office details to contact in this situation.

trisontana

Here are two stories from this week's Mirror about these scams:-

http://blogs.mirror.co.uk/investigations/2009/01/red-sky-in-the-morning-warning.html

http://blogs.mirror.co.uk/investigations/2009/01/educational-support-publicatio.html

minnow001

Many thanks for your replies and advice. The call I had came at a time when I was really busy and I agreed to advertise in this booklet. Today a copy of this very poor quality booklet arrived together with a demand for payment. I note there are a number of local businesses who are advertising including local restaurants and public houses. Following on from the information posted by trisontana (mirror report) what would be my position if I refused payment and cancelled my verbal order?
I feel very stupid now that I didn’t see this as a scam

sarahg1969

BFG wrote: »

This fraud is second only to VAT fraud in the Northwest [HMRC]

It's the same handful of people behind all of them

http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/4087089.Warning_after_couple_s___200_book_bill_shock/

BFG_2

robram2 wrote: »

As I paid by personal credit card, and have not heard anything from them, can I not pursue a "Dispute" through my credit card company for the money back?

yes indeedy you can!!!

Either try a chargeback..if it's fairly recent, or failing that a Section 75 refund

knottycrocodile

We are a small family run company and my son took a call from ESM Community Media, an advertising company purporting to be publishing a magazine in conjunction with the local emergency services. He did not express any firm interest but told them to send details. We have now received a magazine entitled "Services Magazine" with no advertising in it. Also received was an invoice for £97 for advertising with them, a sum which included £2 p & p.
Needless to say we will not be paying them, nor will they be advertising for us.
I will, however, be contacting the Police advising them that ESM are using their name to exhort monies from the public.