Charitable publishing scams

Content on this page ...

• The pitch
• The con
• How to protect your business

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The pitch

A telesales agent will call and ask if you want to place an advertisement in a publication for a seemingly good cause. The caller will give you the impression that the publisher is affiliated with local charities, emergency services, crime prevention and community health initiatives.

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The con

Scammers associate themselves with a good cause to encourage you to place an order. 

You may be told you have placed an order previously or that someone else in your business has agreed to take out advertising space. The caller may also record the phone call and carefully word what they say to sound like you are agreeing to place an advertisement, even if you have just requested further information.

Rogue publishers may send invoices to businesses who had said no to their telephones sales pitch or follow up the invoices with threats of legal action.

See example of a charitable publishing scam.

Many of these rogue publishing companies produce inferior quality wall planners, directories or diaries. 

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How to protect your business

• Don't agree to place an advert over the telephone unless you are absolutely sure about the publisher you are dealing with.
• Don't take the caller's word for it that you have placed an order previously or that someone in your organisation has agreed to take an order.
• Insist on seeing written details and a copy of the publisher's full terms and conditions before placing an order.

Register with the Telephone Preference Service or the Corporate Telephone Preference Service.

Back to: Types of business scams