-
Watch out for this scam
This scam has been doing the rounds for years – but somehow it seems to keep on going. I got a phone call from them today and quickly recognised the nature of the call.
They begin by asking for the business owner. When you reply that you are the caller responds with a friendly "I thought I recognised the voice" (This of course is all lies – they are about to hit you with their tale that you agreed some time ago to support their cause – usually sponsoring some books for schools about drug abuse, or some other such worthy cause).
Don’t get sucked in. These people are not proper charities they are conmen (and women – it’s usually a women that calls).
If you get a call like this from a call centre from someone pretending to have contacted you in the past – and that you had in some way agreed to support their cause, simply challenge them and hang up. Do not agree to support them in any way. Any money you pledge will not go to charity.
I’m amazed these scams are still running. I have reported them to trading standards in the past but they appear to be unable to stop it.
-
22 Replies
-
Ive had the exact same issues with companies called Wynstein Williams and Millenium Media along with 2 others that I forget the name of.
Im not saying they arent charities but they use the same patter and every one of them have had Merseyside accents.
-
quote Paul Humble:Im not saying they arent charities but they use the same patter and every one of them have had Merseyside accents.Believe me Paul they are not charities – they are crooks and have been getting away with it for years.
And yes – often Merseyside accents or more commonly Manchester based. I can even give you their phone number if you want but the number will just ring and is never answered.
-
Cheers for the heads up Phill, I honestly never realised it was a scam, I just knew it was annoying.
Ill have a less polite response for them next time they call.
-
Big believer in charity begins at home.
-
quote Paul Humble:Cheers for the heads up Phill, I honestly never realised it was a scam, I just knew it was annoying.Ill have a less polite response for them next time they call.
Fuck off! usually does the trick 😉
-
When someone calls me and asks for the business owner I tell them his where all good business owners are, in Hawaii.
-
Phill I had the exact same call about 2 weeks ago. Claiming I had given the go ahead to support a local schools diary! After asking how I wanted to pay the 500 quid I asked her what local school it was – she stammered for a while then said I could decide that. I took Neil’s approach and told her to eff off! It’s a pain but I get alot of them and they always seem to come along in groups of calls.
Nick.
-
Got my plan sorted if I get the call…………
I will pay by BACS, "what bank account do you want the £500 to go to??"
Promptly hang up and ask your very friendly "Nigerian" customer (think every one knows him….ehmmmm Rev Smith)who wants all those religious banners and give them the details for payment!!!
:lol1: :lol1: :lol1:
-
Can’t these folk just go out and earn a decent way of living without leeching off others
They do get me mad (hot) -
These have been coming in thick and fast for me since this thread was made.
Its not just Manchester anymore either.
What happens if they just send the artwork and invoice, obviously I wont be paying it but what will be the next step to take?
Im new to the self employment game and all this is a little concerning and pressurising.
-
Do not be concerned. DO NOT Pay under any circumstances and do not negotiate.
Would advise you contact the local Police FRAUD division…they love scum like this. Keep all paperwork including the envelopes.
The more people they can get to log complaints the stronger the case is against them and not just "a clerical billing error" to one or two people.
Being new to business, you will also get invoices from overseas demanding payment for various internet services (twist on a Nigerian scam)…just bin them!
Dave
-
I had calls like this too. After asking for a copy of this so called booklet which I had supposedly agreed to which was going to local schools about bullying, abuse etc etc they still insisted that I had agreed to it…they are very persistent, I can see how people can get sucked in, its disgusting.
here is another one you should look at especially this time of year it has been confirmed by Royal Mail. The Trading Standards
Office are making people aware of the following scam:A card is posted through your door from a company called PDS (Parcel Delivery
Service) suggesting that they were unable to deliver a parcel and that you
need to contact them on 0906 6611911 (a premium rate number). DO NOT call
this number, as this is a mail scam originating from Belize .If you call the number and you start to hear a recorded message you will
already have been billed £15 for the phone call. -
quote Cheryl Smith:I had calls like this too. After asking for a copy of this so called booklet which I had supposedly agreed to which was going to local schools about bullying, abuse etc etc they still insisted that I had agreed to it…they are very persistent, I can see how people can get sucked in, its disgusting.
here is another one you should look at especially this time of year it has been confirmed by Royal Mail. The Trading Standards
Office are making people aware of the following scam:A card is posted through your door from a company called PDS (Parcel Delivery
Service) suggesting that they were unable to deliver a parcel and that you
need to contact them on 0906 6611911 (a premium rate number). DO NOT call
this number, as this is a mail scam originating from Belize .If you call the number and you start to hear a recorded message you will
already have been billed £15 for the phone call.I think that one’s ran it’s course a few years back. Was £1.50 a minute…
http://www.snopes.com/fraud/telephone/pds.asp -
I was sent it today, always good to get a heads up on anything.
-
quote John Singh:Can’t these folk just go out and earn a decent way of living without leeching off others
They do get me mad (hot)Let hope not……. they will properly become signmakers :lol1:
-
Ive just found this link which although is for my area it will be the same rules everywhere.
http://www.northeastfraudforum.co.uk/pu … -fraud.asp
Cheers for the help guys.
-
Tesco Scam Warning!!!!!
I have just received this from a very shaken friend of mine – BE WARNED!
I don’t how many of you shop at Tesco, but this may be useful to know.
I am sending this to you to warn you of something that happened to me,
as I have become a victim of a clever scam while out shopping.This happened to me at Tesco in Redditch and it could happen to you.
Here’s how the scam works:
Two seriously good-looking 19-year-old girls come over to your car as
you are packing your shopping in the boot. They both start wiping your
windscreen with a soapy sponge, with their breasts almost falling out of
their skimpy t-shirts.It is impossible not to look. When you thank them and offer them a tip,
they say ‘No’ and instead ask you for a ride to another Tesco.You agree and they get in the back seat. On the way, they start having!
sex with each other. Then one of them climbs over into the front seat and
performs oral sex on you, while the other one steals your wallet.I had my wallet stolen last Tuesday, Wednesday, twice on Thursday, Friday and again
on Saturday, and also twice yesterday.– dont let this happen to you!
-
:lol1: :lol1: :lol1:
nik
-
After receiving yet another unsolicited invoice through the post today for work I never gave authorisation for I decided to call Trading Standards.
The companies to watch out for are (amongst others):
Porter Publications
Advanced Publications
Millenium Media
Wynstein Williams.Any chance of starting a list of the scam companies that have contacted us Rob?
-
Just recieved a call from a company called "Database Removal Services" asking me to send any publications that I have recieved from scam Publishers. It all seemed very professional until I asked for a website address (which they did not have), a phone number (they only had a mobile), and an address (they would only say its in Lancashire).
I chased them, but as they made it clear from the start that there was no fees payable under any circumstances I am a little puzzled as to what they are looking to gain.
Any ideas?
-
I suspect they’ll send you a bill for removing your name off the mailing list of all these scam publishers. By participating and appearing to agree by giving them information they’ll phone you back in six months by which time you will only have a vague recollection of what was discussed today. This is how they do the books scam – phone up first saying they are not asking for anything from you just wanted to tell you about what they were planning in future. Then when they call back 6 months later to tell you the books have been sent out and asking how you would like to pay – you are left wondering what you had agreed to in the first place.
-
get your own premium rate line in,
when these tossers ring you, tell them to talk to the manager on *********(the premium number) when they ring that,
you answer, ask them to hold and leave them there. 😀i always tell these Muppets I’m really interested but busy right now, can they ring back later,same reply when they ring back…after a few of these calls, 3/4 usually does it, they just give up 😀
Log in to reply.
