Scam Alert - 'Crime Awareness Publication' scam - 11 June 2013

A Suffolk school has been contacted by an individual claiming to be calling in connection with the police force and a publication called 'Crime Awareness Publication'.

These scammers are using a deliberately misleading patter that is often carefully scripted to sell advertising space.

It is probable that the scam will also target schools and other organisations based in Norfolk.

The advice from trading standards is never to agree with or pay money to an advertiser that you do not know or have not dealt with until:

• you have had a chance to do some simple background checks such as using an internet search engine to identify whether the business is genuine or has scammed other businesses.
• the advertiser can provide proof of identity for its business and the salesperson that contacts you.
• the advertiser has provided proof of the existence of previous publications referred to and can provide proof of contractual dealings with any business, service, charity or public body that they claim to be working with or to have worked with previously.

If you feel you have been misled over the terms of an advertisement and require further advice please contact Trading Standards on 0344 800 8020 or email trading.standards@norfolk.gov.uk.

Further information about this topic can be found in our 'Publishing Scams' advice fact sheet.