Scam alert

We’ve been contacted by one of our subscribers regarding a potential local business scam.

The man telephoned their office last Thursday, claiming to be from Community Sponsorship Partners (UK) Ltd working with local kids football teams.

He said that he was in the area on that day for a meeting – but it had been cancelled – and would they have time to meet up and talk to him about advertising.

They arranged a meeting for later that day and he duly turned up, dressed in a track-suit and looking the part.

He told our contact that he was selling advertising in a ‘new to the area’ magazine that was to be distributed to 10,000 local families with all the kids football fixtures and locations on.

The cost of advertising started at £99 –including dvertising on a mobile APP.

Our subscriber sat through his presentation and at the end the man asked them if they would sign up.

Our contact explained that they would need to request permission from another director who wasn’t in the office that day.

At that point he said he must have a decision that day, and that he had explained that on the phone – which we’re told he hadn’t.

He appeared to have a stack of booking forms and cheques from other local businesses who had signed up including Belvoir Lettings – who he said had gone for a larger advert – and paid over £200.

He then offered to reduce the price if a decision was made immediately.

Our contact again reiterated that they couldn’t decide immediately, but would take his card and call him the next day, if they decided to go ahead.

However, they decided to Google the man’s company’s details and came up with the links below.

Apparently, the company name quoted on the visiting card is slightly different  – but the directors detailed in the linked items are the same.

Ilovemacc recommend you never sign up for anything on the spot and never make a payment.

Always ask to see a copy of the magazine, poster or item – and then phone or contact several of the advertisers to check their experience with the publishing company.

http://www.nwcab.org.uk/index.php/news/view/iYvXLj0pOjOwuiQq

http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/warwickshire-boys-football-sponsorship-conman-4323714

http://companycheck.co.uk/company/OC327898/COMMUNITY-SPONSORSHIP-PARTNERSHIP-LLP/directors-secretaries

http://companycheck.co.uk/company/07405562/COMMUNITY-SPONSORSHIP-PARTNERS-UK-LTD/directors-secretaries