Old UK ad scam rings back

Monday 09 June 2014

Police are warning local businesses to watch out for UK scammers calling and trying to sell cheap ads in “Emergency Services” publications.

It’s not a new scam but Drain-It are one of a number of local companies who was contacted just last week by one of these fraudulent advertising companies.

Administrator Alison Bishop said: “They phoned two or three times and it was the same Liverpudlian accent – he said I’m phoning about a job and asked to speak to the boss, I said the owner wasn’t available and then the man just hung-up.

“The second time he said, this is the Police Federation and I’m phoning about crime prevention, I said there was nobody here, only me and then he hung up.”

The police say many small publishing companies from the Liverpool and Manchester area are calling business in Jersey but Trading Standards have been unable to close them down because they do produce some publications.

Crime Reduction Officer Jeremy House said: “These are not new scams but we have had several complaints in the past few weeks.

“These companies do exist but the product they offer is poor and if you question who they are they tend to get aggressive.

“Our advice is to be vigilant and if in doubt there is no harm in checking.”

He said local companies who do want to advertise should ask to see proof copies and ask more details about circulation and distribution.

The only agency the States of Jersey Police authorises is the Crime Reduction Agency which prints the Business Crime Booklet.

They are advising any company who has issues with another claiming to be advertising for the Emergency Services to contact the Trading Standards offices on tel 448160 or via email at tradingstandards@gov.je

There is personal security and scam advice on the police website at www.jersey.police.uk or via the Crime Reduction Officer at Police Headquarters on 612345.