Alert for bogus police scam (From Darlington and Stockton Times)

Alert for bogus police scam

1:48pm Wednesday 2nd December 2009

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POLICE are warning businesses to be on their guard against bogus officers claiming to be selling advertising space in their publications.

It comes after a business in the West Yorkshire area was contacted by a man claiming to be North Yorkshire police officer.

He claimed to be raising funds for a drug awareness booklet for schools and offered advertising space for between £500 and £1,100.

But after being contacted by the "marketing team" the businessman became suspicious, refused to part with any money and reported the incident to the police.

Detective Inspector Ian Wills of North Yorkshire Police's financial investigation unit, said: "Neither North or West Yorkshire Police are involved in raising funds by such means and we urge businesses to be on their guard against calls of this nature.

"If you are contacted, take the callers name and inform them that you will call them back through the respective police call centres to verify their identity."

He added: "Our advice to anyone who is contacted by cold callers is do not part with any money unless you know exactly what you are paying for.

"Carry out an independent check to verify the caller is who they say they are and ask to see a copy of previous publications."

Anyone who believes they may have been a victim of such a scam should contact police on 0845 6060 247.

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