Scam call or legit?

DRedSky

Got a very unusual call earlier and just wondering do people think it was a scam or not, especially with so many scam calls these days.

So it was a city centre dublin number he rang from, and i own a tiny business and the call could possibly have been a potential customer which is why i answered the number without recognising it.

The chap was very polite and well mannered and seemed very nice and said he was ringing from The Gardai Journal office or something like that and asked if i’d be interested in advertising in their year book which is soon to be printed and would be seen by tens of thousands of current and ex-Gardai.

I truthfully explained that i cannot advertise (long story but i cannot really advertise).

But would it really be “normal” for Gardai to ring businesses seeking advertising for yearbooks? I thought it very odd and how would anyone know it was genuine before paying etc? Or is it a rather creative scam call?

cbreeze

'Yearbooks' are often put together by commercial publishers for the advertising spend, If you are in any doubt check with your local Garda station and the Garda press office. They are mostly ads and have very little editorial content. Some are scams, looking for advertising fees but without printing a single copy. At least you did not fall for it.

greasepalm

Many decades ago we paid for an Advert 1/4 page for x amount and we knew the people running it as it was a local event and many of the places around were contacted and we ended up in the mag and was a call out of the blue.

HildaOgdenx

There was a scam like that in the news not too long ago where businesses were tricked into paying for inclusion in some kind of non-existent directory.

Might not be the same thing and I know you didn't get involved but always better to be wary.

anewme

There was a Garda yearbook and they used to cold call. I remember getting a few calls about it, going back years ago.

IBPhoto

Ring the Garda Fraud squad in Harcourt Street to report suspected fraud.

Get Real

Hard to definitely say it was a scam. It could also have been

a) an advertising agency cold calling and they have many publications on the go and need to sell space. Staff poorly trained or didn't communicate what exactly it was for.

B) an even lower tier cold call, where a leaflet/booklet does exist so you are actually buying as space, but they're just bullsh1t leaflets and they'll be delivered about to various spots and the Garda was thrown in there as a potential audience.

C) a pure scam, no such thing exists.

I've had similar cold calls, from agencies contracted out to fill whatever publication they're dealing with, most legit. First thing I ask is a phone number and email I can get them back on. Then the name of the publication and do a little research to see if they're legit.

You paid up no money thankfulky, probably won't be able to determine if it was a scam or some poorly trained cold called who just wanted a sale.