Schools warned to be aware of advertising scam

In the latest report to the PSNI from a primary school, a man telephoned the school purporting to represent a ‘Government Agency’ putting together a Crime Prevention Year Book. The caller attempted to solicit advertising from the school in a very forceful and demanding way.

A PSNI spokesperson said: “Thankfully on this occasion the school questioned the caller and they terminated the call without agreeing to sign up to anything”. 

Local Crime Prevention Officer Michael Green said: “These calls were bogus. No government agency uses this ‘cold calling’ approach to solicit advertising and they certainly wouldn’t do it in the manner described. 

“Anyone who receives such a call should try to note the time and date of the call along with the callers name. Ask for a contact number, preferably a landline. Quite often, fraudsters are hesitant about giving their names or telephone numbers. If someone will not do that, it gives grounds for suspicion.

“Ask for clear details about the publication, number of copies, distribution area etc. Request that they send you a back issue so you can see what you would be paying for. If they cannot provide you with this or even direct you to someone who could then again this is grounds for suspicion,” he said.

“Finally, for larger organisations it is also wise to pay close attention to any invoice that you receive for advertisements you are supposed to have placed. Some fraudsters send out invoices in the hope that a busy accounts department will not query them.

“If you think you have been a victim of an advertising scam or would like more advice, contact your local police station,” said CPO Green.