Not news, more of a public service announcement, but thought you’d appreciate a heads-up…

It was featured on BBC1’s Watch Dog last year. A Cheshire company using a call centre to telephone businesses about an advert they had taken in a charity publication on behalf of the local Police or Fire Service. Needless to say companies hadn’t taken an advert, the publication didn’t exist and of course they were not calling on behalf of any emergency service. As a result trading standards and the fraud squad were trying to prosecute those involved.

What appears to be the same company has called at least three Bristol Media members this morning claiming to be putting together a publication for Avon and Somerset Fire Service that features local media and creative companies. Go figure?

Anyway be on your guard. They appear to pop up every year. More info below:

Local businesses warned to be on their guard after reports of cold-calling scam

Fire service scam