Hello to the LJN collective.
This is my first post since joining and I'm after some advice.
Recently I was contacted by a sales rep from a company called Paramount Media and asked if I wanted to place an advert in publication supporting the fire service that would be posted by Royal Mail to thousands of properties in my area. Usually and on any other occasion, I will tell anyone trying to sell me something over the phone that i'm not interested. However, as I have been looking at some extra marketing lately I let the sales rep give me his spiel, and after hearing the costings I stated that he could send me an pre publication design after which I would then make my decision and any alterations.
Anyways, the design turned up last week and after seeing how little effort they put in (pretty much just ripped a couple pictures off of my website and added text) I decided that I wouldn't be giving them any business. I've since been barraged with phone calls, and today I spoke with one representative saying that they have a recorded conversation of me agreeing to advertise in their publication, and this is legal proof. I asked for a recorded copy, however when he called back I was busy, but then left a message saying they now have the recorded tape and will be taking me to the smalls claim court etc for non payment.
Since i've been home this evening, I've now learnt that this is a scam. However I wanted to know if this is ever happened to anyone else and is the a correct course of action? And also, if they phone again (which is inevitable) what would be a good response to scare them off (i.e. legal action etc). I've also now registered with the Telephone Preference Service (TPS) that should enable me not to receive unsolicited sales or marketing calls any more.
Thanks in advance for any advice,
Oli - Your friendly gullible landscaper.
Views: 113
Replies
If you are sure you did not enter into a verbal or written agreement I would bluff them out.
You will find that the Small Claims Court will look poorly on any case where key evidence is withheld and are very aware of these style of scams/tricks. Evidence disclosure is vital. Often the cases are dropped at the last minute.
I would recommend you subscribe to Trading Standards Email news letters as they high light all the current scams and give good guidance
You can (& should ?) take further advice from CAB etc.
this is a scam run usually by a call centre in Liverpool. they try to get people with false invoices. They run it along the lines of police/fire/drug rehab/ schools etc. Its certainly one trading standards are aware of
Thanks for the response. Must say I'm feeling like somewhat of a 'douche' at present. Even though I didn't give them any verbal agreement to go ahead and print and have not paid for anything, I still feel a embarrassed that I didn't initially just tell them to p*ss off... I'll give CAB a call in the morning for sure.
I am by no means an expert but I'm sure you are entitled to a 14 day cooling off period because of the distance selling.
Good luck mate
send it to matt allwright, that bunch seem to get off on these kind of people.
remember that if a call is abusive or threatening then that is a criminal offence......
Tell them to meet you at the small claims court and to send their directors as trading standards would love to meet them.
Hello Oli
I had a very similar situation about 6 years ago. I was contacted by someone working on behalf of the police service (beggars belief doesn it) to discuss placing an ad in a publication. Like you I said that I might be interested. A couple of weeks later I recieved an invoice for the advert. Then they started calling and chasing me for payment. I was extremely worried at the time but eventually they stopped pestering me when they realised I wasnt going to pay.
I have had loads more of these calls since and I just politely tell them that I am not interested. Part of their "blag" is to try and makeout that you have spoken to them on a previous occasion and that they are just calling now to finalise the details.
Seriously, dont worry about it. Next time they call dont even enter into a dialouge with them Just tell them you are not paying because you never agreed to it, goodbye. They are just looking for an easy target and as soon as they realise that you arent it they will simply look elsewhere
I had a very similar thing last year. Sounded too good to be true which it was. In my case the bloke said he was from West Yorkshire Police and that the magazine would be sent out to thousands of people etc. etc. I had phone calls and emails about unpaid invoices and overdue costs. I just treated them as any other business that I didn't want the custom of and politely told them no thanks. The last thing you want to do is enter into arguments or threats as it will get you nowhere. I didn't hand over any money but have read stories online about people being sucked in and done for thousands.
I contacted the Police at http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/report_fraud and gave them all of the details. Partly to ensure that other people were not caught out in the future. I had follow up contact with someone from the MET Police and eventually submitted a written statement and all of the documentation I had been emailed. Don't know what happened to it all in the end but certainly a learning experience!
I did think for all the time and effort the scammers went to to produce invoices, phone people up, make fake advertisements etc. etc. they may as well just have produced a proper magazine!
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