Advertising scam - beware

mosesgun

We had a telephone call to our office today from a guy called simon saying he was from "crime prevention Magazine" English chap with no calling number ID. He asked my colleague the name of the person responsible for advertising. My name was given and I took his call. He spoke like we had spoken a few months ago. "Surely you remember you agreed to put an ad in our publication this month?" "We agreed a discounted rate of £200", says the bould Simon. He then proceeded to tell me that I had told him I didn't have the budged back in May as I had just put an ad in a differently publication. Basically this chap saw an ad I had done in a reputable publication back in May and decided to completely fabricate this story in the hope that I would just agree rather than argue about it. I told him we had no such conversation and he actually became quite aggressive telling me that I should really stand by my word. He then told me he had a recording of the conversation and that he might use this in a legal case against me. Basically I told the bould Simon where to get off. I can only assume that this is a numbers game and that they do get businesses not on heir guard who will just go ahead and pay this company the money for what is more than likely not even a real publication.

Just be aware and be on your guard if Simon gives you a bell..

DubTony

At least Simon rang you before running your "ad". I had a crowd send me a bill a few years ago for an ad I'd never even spoken to anyone about. (I had no doubt I didn't order the ad, as the copy was nothing like I'd have written, the phone number was wrong, it was on the wrong page of the magazine, and it was a dull one eighth page ad).

When their guy came looking for payment I toyed with him. How I'd completely forgotten that I'd ordered it, and didn't remember approving it. How I was an awful eejit for not seeing the incorrect phone number. I eventually wrapped it up with "and I can't believe that I actually ran a tiny ad in a piece of toilet paper of a magazine". Stopped him dead in his tracks. When he asked for the cheque again, I told him to produce the order form with my signature on it, and then I'd pay him.

The names he called me as he walked out the door aren't repeatable on a public forum

jimmii

Never heard of those before good to know of!

mosesgun

DubTony wrote: »

At least Simon rang you before running your "ad". I had a crowd send me a bill a few years ago for an ad I'd never even spoken to anyone about. (I had no doubt I didn't order the ad, as the copy was nothing like I'd have written, the phone number was wrong, it was on the wrong page of the magazine, and it was a dull one eighth page ad).

When their guy came looking for payment I toyed with him. How I'd completely forgotten that I'd ordered it, and didn't remember approving it. How I was an awful eejit for not seeing the incorrect phone number. I eventually wrapped it up with "and I can't believe that I actually ran a tiny ad in a piece of toilet paper of a magazine". Stopped him dead in his tracks. When he asked for the cheque again, I told him to produce the order form with my signature on it, and then I'd pay him.

The names he called me as he walked out the door aren't repeatable on a public forum

I find it amazing that it's these people's job to try to deceive people like this. It's pure theft. I suppose they only need a few people every day to fall for it and they're quids in.

micosoft

The big one is the Swiss Business Catalogue.

What they are hoping to get through to is some admin type who gets to embarrassed or intimidated and pays out. Just goes to show you need a tight approved PO process no matter how small the business. No PO no order. Stick it on your website and your standard email disclaimer.

Labarbapostiza

There's nothing new in the tactic.

One of my first jobs was working for a guy who needed to advertise in specialist trade magazines. We had to put up with the bull, even though we were going to place regular ads. Haggling in the souk, just for the sake of it.