Businesses in Lichfield and Burntwood are being warned about scams where they are offered advertising in fake or non-existent publications.
Staffordshire County Council’s trading standards team has received calls from companies which have been offered adverts by callers who say they are acting on behalf of a charity, school or public sector organisation. Sometimes the caller will tell the business it has already agreed to take out advertising or has done so in previous years.
But the scam means no publication is ever produced or a very small number printed without the knowledge or consent of the organisation that is supposedly represented.
Cabinet member for Culture, Communities and Customers, Pat Corfield, said:
“We are urging Staffordshire businesses to be vigilant and inform employees not to agree to anything they are unsure about either over the phone or by post. Where there is any doubt at all, employees should end the call and make sure they do not sign any paperwork.
“Anyone with concerns should contact our Business Advice Line on 0845 330 3313.”
