BOGUS advertisers are targeting small Warwickshire businesses say trading standards.
During the cold call, the business is offered advertising space in publications that have little or no circulation.
The scammers use cleverly worded scripts to trick the victim into agreeing to pay large sums for adverts.
They may falsely claim that the publication has a safety theme and is supported by the police or fire service or will benefit local schools.
Their phone calls are often recorded, and the fraudulent advertisers threaten businesses with legal action if they do not pay up.
Businesses often do not realise they have been targeted until they receive a demand for payment in the post. Small businesses and the self-employed are often victims.
And residents are being warned against cold calls from fraudsters claiming to work for HMRC and demanding money for taxes owed.
Residents have been threatened with arrest, fines and court action to get them to send money.
The scammers sometimes ask for payment using vouchers and gift cards.
Rogue traders and scams can be reported to Warwickshire Trading Standards at www.warwickshire.gov.uk/tradingstandards or via the Citizens Advice Consumer Service by calling 03454 040506.
