Trying to get some money back - FRAUD

[NotSureICanCarryOn]

I have been contacted by a company about a month ago to put an advert in their magazine.

Prices sounded good as the offer.

Got in touch with them by email and through a 'ticket system'. Somebody got back to me quickly. All looked good.

I've put an order with them, paid and ....

Since then, I haven't heard about anyone, no email is answered. Ticket system doesn't work any more and no one answers the phone.

I know I've lost that money :( but would really want to report the fraud and stop these people from doing it again.

Any idea how to get on about it?

Oh no, did the person you spoke to have a Scouse accent by any chance, and was it a Police/Services magazine?

There is a well known scam as above, I was very nearly caught by it for my will writing service, but decided not to go ahead. The guy then texted me to say that I would appear in the magazine as a rouge [sic] trader unless I went ahead with the advert. Reported it to Trading Standards who confirmed that they do it to hundreds of small businesses.

How much have you lost?

A bit more than £100....

How do you report to Trading Standards? I've been on the website but found only advice on how to try and avoid fraud.

I wrote to them, and they said that similar complaints had been made. As I hadn't parted with any cash I didn't think about it again till you posted.

So was it a Scouser with a Police mag?

Yes police mag. I have done some research and a lot of people have fallen into it and for a long time too.

Winehouse Williams? Yep scam for a police magazine!
I went to my local police and reported it but still three years on they send me demands saying pay up or you will be taken to court.
Their "office" is a postbox in MAYFAIR London no less but run from Liverpool.
They even sent me a fake letter from a promenent High Court Judge!!!
The police told me to ignore their demands-they sent me a copy of my advert-that they had designed without my logo- saying it had gone in the local police mags that don't exist.
Sorry you have parted with money but if it is WW they have been around for over five years and just keep moving postboxes and phone numbers.
I was "caught" because they left a voicemail on my business line saying
" Mrs Pippala, nothing to worry about but can you please phone the police on this number"
When I called them then the sales pitch started " your advert revenue will raise money for the police charities etc etc, the police/ambulance service will use your business blah blah blah.
I felt very stupid to be taken in by them but refused to pay. My local CID took an interest but as I say they keep changing the phone numbers and postbox numbers..
I was a nervous wreck over their harrasment and the very convincing letters about court action. I think they wanted £125 which I was tempted to pay for them to leave me alone.
However this is how their scam works as I bet lots of small businesses just pay it!

There was a thread about this on FreeIndex and one of the would-be victims knew about it in advance, so when he was called by the scouser, he asked him to hold on while he found his credit card & went and had a bath!

www.freeindex.co.uk/business-advice/publishing-linked-to-emergency-services_20867.htm

Nope not that one!
This was called crime security and is supposed to be with fire-fighters and the police.
I think this is the same scam with a different name though....

Where can I find the address for the Trading Standards?

The Consumer Direct helpline which was, effectively, a national trading standards resource is no longer in operation.

You'll find a trading standards office at your local authority/council - google their website and search 'trading standards' which, in most local authorities, usually come within the remit of or are linked to Environmental Health.

NotSure, how did you pay?

If it was by debit / credit card you may want to think about cancelling that card and getting a replacement. Zombie has known of instances where such rip off merchants companies have taken further payments.

Thanks, that's a very good point! I will have a look and cancel that card.

izzy that's where I looked earlier on but couldn't find any contact details for complaints.

Speak with your card company's fraud department. Maybe they can get the money back. You paid for something and didn't receive what you paid for. I know it may depend on the amount you paid.

No doubt one of the lawyers will correct me if I'm wrong.

But, if you don't ask, you certainly don't get.

That's a very good idea too!
If I had bought a product but never received it, I would have done exactly that but for whatever reason, it didn't cross my mind in this case!