Day Trip Media: I Got Scammed... Again

Monday, 28 April 2008

I Got Scammed... Again

Pwnd!1!! Oh boy, I always thought I was pretty good when it came to looking after security. Always telling folks about phishing, keeping virus protection updated, not answering letters to people wanting to move money, don't get caught out on eBay, fake domain invoices, etcetera. Whilst I may have had my eyes open to online and related fraud, I've not really looked at business related fraud in the past, but today I got myself a good old fashioned wake up call, and I'm preparing myself for an ongoing battle with the scammers.

My security leanings were all well and good for the online world, but back here in running my business world, it seems I've been targeted by some rogue publishers. The scam is this, they phone you up (being a new business) and give you a load of spiel on they're bringing out a charity / police / fire service / wedding planning magazine. Which ever niche they go for, they tell you it's going out to local business and would you like an ad as they don't yet have someone in your sector to go in the mag. So on and so forth. They calls keep coming, and even though you've said no, they try to make out you've agreed to it. Maybe they ring up after a couple of months of making the first call, maybe they tell you someone else in the business said yes, whatever, the patter's designed to bludgeon you into submission.

I'd already fallen for it once, and placed an ad (costing £150) in some local police magazine that was going out to businesses locally. I don't need to advertise like that, but I thought 'what the hell,' a bit of brand recognition won't hurt, there may be other similar businesses out there who see it and maybe want to meet, trade ideas, etcetera. To be honest there was also a bit of vanity involved as well on my part, thinking it nice to see the business in print. So, fed up with the wave of calls I'd gotten I caved and said yes. They sent out the artwork, I paid up. I was none the wiser.

Today I got a call from a company I think are called Millennium Media. I say think, because the accent of the heavy caller is Scouse, and a bit difficult to follow at the speed he talks. He says we spoke a couple of months back and I agreed an ad. Now, I cast my mind back and recall the conversation back in February, and I also recall saying I wasn't interested at the time as I had just taken an ad out in another magazine. At the time I thought nothing of it as I thought I'd stood my ground and said no. After placing the first ad, I said to myself that was something I would never do again.

So this call I get today, the guy (John Anderson and Amberton) is telling me they are ready to send out the artwork for my approval for the ad in the Crime Stoppers magazine. I tell him I'm not interested. He brings up a password I gave him last time we spoke - Spam Tin. I recall making it up on the spot when I spoke to him last as a bit of a piss take. If I can recall correctly, he said if I can contact you again, we'll set up a password. It certainly wasn't in relation to placing an order, but he tries telling me it was. Having none of this, he hangs up telling me he'll call back.

So I'm very wound up at this point and get searching and quickly find out what's going on here. It's not a pretty scene, there are hundred of people out there who've fallen foul of this. There are lots of different outfits trying the scam, one of the most covered is a company called Vardis. Worse, it seems I can expect more to come including threats of legal action for the money for the advert I didn't place, harassment over the phone and more sneaky behaviour. The idea is that people will roll over at the threat of legal action and court appearances, but that's all they are, threats.

From what I've read, the debt collection agency that starts sending out the threatening mail is the same as the company that runs the ads. I can't find an example of anyone having been taken to court as frankly, the company don't have a leg to stand on. That said they try to bully their victims into compliance with jargon and underhand tactics.

One such tactic involves sending you the proofs of the artwork by registered mail, so you have to sign for it. Then they say because you've signed for it you've agreed a contract. I've also read reports of them faking acceptance tapes to try and convince you that you have a legal contract with them, or that it can be used as evidence in court. From what I've read that's nonsense as well, the OFT says a tape like that doesn't prove a contract is in place without the written contract.

Finding all this out has made me realise that the first ad I placed was a mistake. I doubt the magazine has ever seen the light of day. I don't think I can expect to see a copy as I was told.

As for this new attempt on my bank balance, this is my battle plan and what I'm expecting, I've informed the wife to be on alert. Any registered mail that looks like it could be from them will not be signed for. Any further calls will be ignored and finished promptly. Any threats will be ignored, especially written threats about filling court proceedings etc. Any correspondence that should arrive unregistered will be replied to in no uncertain terms about a cancellation. I've started a log of events and will also try and figure out how to record calls should I get another one. Going by what I've read, I should expect another one. If it escalates I will contact the police, OFT and Trading Standards. From what I've read, all three of these bodies are well aware of this sort of shady practice.

I feel a lot better now. I felt really stupid earlier, and angry at my stupidity. The more I recall the phone call I got today, the more I can see that they were fishing for stuff to use against me. But now I've read up on this and learnt what's going on, I'm feeling prepared and ready for them to make the next move. It should be fun if nothing else. Here's some of the stuff I've read up on today that you might find useful if you find yourself here in the same situation.

So why am I bringing this up in public - on my business website of all places? Well, maybe it might save someone else falling for the same rip-off. It's also cathartic, I've spent most of the afternoon angry with myself and also a bit peeved I wasn't awake to what goes on. If I can save someone else those feelings then all the better. And it's not just this advertising scam, I've got a feeling I'll see more of this. I've already had a non-invoice for a branded stationary along with a sample. I'm pretty sure it's all coming from the same scummy underbelly of business praying on business. Sigh, I can tell you now, I won't fall for it again.

Posted by Dio Bach at 20:08

69 Comments:

gadget said...: Good for you for bringing this to everyone's attention. Thanks.; 29 April 2008 21:17
Media Man said...: I got caught up in this as per your article. Millenium Media, Police, Send in the bailiff's etc. At the moment (27/06/08) I've been told I agreed to the ad @ £500+!!! in Crimestopper's Magazine and as I haven't paid I camn expect the bailiffs. I then decided to google 'scam - millenium media' and got this link. Many thanks for confirming what I thought and to anyone reading this - Don't fall for the sales patter or threats!

Thanks again

Geoff Pearson; 27 June 2008 10:15
Dio Bach said...: I've not heard back from them since or received any mail. Another company rang me up and tried it on but I ran them through the scam and told them not to waste either of our times. That seemed to shut them up.; 27 June 2008 10:25
Casey said...: I think I have been scammed by this lot too. I have kept enquiring about the crime prevention thing and its always about to be printed. I also got caught about a fire prevention one. I did get an ad published in a local police mag but that was by a different outfit. I do feel a bit stupid, but if there's no joy, I did have the presence of mind to pay by credit card, so I can at least have a chance of claiming it back!; 9 September 2008 17:27
Dio Bach said...: Hi Casey, I know how you feel. So far I've not heard back from them. I did have another company come to me and try to tell me I'd ordered an advert that would help underprivileged children. I calmly explained to the guy on the phone that I was onto their scam and bid them good day.

Then, a couple of weeks ago I had an invoice in the post from an NW Media (they're so professional, their logo is in Comic Sans...) This invoice claimed I owed them £125 for an advert in an emergency services magazine. Nonsense again. I looked around and apparently some of these scammers will just send out the invoices and hope you pay them. They don't even go for the phone stage, needles to say I've ignored that too.; 9 September 2008 18:00
Casey said...: Yes I got one from NW Media. Just sent them a letter asking for written proof of the original order as this was a supposed "Reminder" invoice! Heard nothing since.

Also watch out for an outfit called Ikonic Publications that say you have agreed to sponsor some safety books for local schools. In this case I have advised them that I am taking advantage of the distance selling regs that allow me a cooling off period. Watch this space. I think that once they get the impression that you are an easy touch (or stupid like me) then your details get all over the place.; 10 September 2008 09:52
Ian T said...: I am in the process of setting myself up as a sole trader. Ive set up a nice little web-site, got my logo sorted, ordered graphics for my van, have all my stationary and business cards and submited my info to various free listings sites on line, with a view to getting regular adverts in my local paper and yell.com. Anyhow, last Saturday I was designing an advert for my local paper and I got a call(0151 227 9584).. A very professional, convincing woman saying they a company called Vardis and are producing mags that will be distributed throughout the northwest, homes, dentist waiting rooms, doctors surgeries etc, and it help a charity- forristers fund for children.
They said I could have a full colour 1/4 page advert 4x per year for just £295.00- I thouhgt it was a great idea and said I would be interested and gave her all my details....
Next thing I knew the phone rang again, this time(01695 557 9625)some woman who seemed a bit dim, all part of the scam I think.. She claimed she was ringing to confirm my details in connection with my 'order' and mentioned about the call being recorded- I thought nothing of it, a bit surprised with the speed of the call and that started alarm bells ringing. Tuesday cam and so did a 'conformation of order' form. With this was a slip for my payment and a discount if I sent it in within 14 days. I started to read the terms and conditions on the back, and somthing didnt feel right... I quickly emailed them explaining I will not acknowledge receipt of my order as I had not made an order and wanted to know more details before I commited to anything such as distribution numbers, number of pages in the mag, content of the mag etc.
No reply, so I emailed again.. No reply. Then I got home to find 4 missed calls and a message to call Vardis back, I forget the name of the guy. Anyway I rang the number but he was on his lunch and would call me back. Since then Ive had a number of messages on my phone that 'break up' at various times, then clearly hear the request to call back urgently.
Since them I googled the name Vardis and I felt sick! Looking at the many scams and people they have had. I couldnt believe it, Im usually the first to spot a scam! I await the bill, following demands and threats of legal action as I have no intention of following this through.. From what I have read they need to send you a copy of the recording of the apparent 'order' and then it would goto court where it would be thrown out anyway. Vardis are well known, im just gutted i got sucked in! My 1st lesson in going it alone- WATCH OUT!; 18 September 2008 22:51
casey said...: I have just instructed my credit card company to cancel my payments to Millenium media as they have just kept on fobbing me off with excuses. e.g "Oh you should have had a copy by now!" or "its just being printed." I will see if that does something, and I have instructed the Card Co to not reauthorise unless I give them written permission. I don't know if I can do that, but lets see.; 3 October 2008 15:09
Anonymous said...: My partner has his own small business and Ikonic baffled him over the phone(over many months) and they have just sent the so called 'educations booklet'with a £149.00 invoice. I have just spoke with them, told them to send me the recordings of the order over the phone (which there wasn't) and told them they are all over the internet as a scam company. I feel so good, they even asked for the booklet to be posted back to them...what, so they can send it to someone else. I suppose 'Stick it where the sun doesn't shine' is the polite way of saying things but hey I couldn't think of that at the time!!!; 20 October 2008 15:51
Nick Harber said...: Ikonic tried to pull one on my company this month - they even had the neck to "playback" a so-called recording of my boss agreeing to terms for advertising in a safety at schools booklet. It was so badly pasted together with what was patently not the voice of the person they referred to it was laughable. Fortunately, we're all a pretty robust lot here but it makes my blood boil to think of the amount of people who have rolled over to this scum for fear of prosecution.; 28 October 2008 18:22
Anonymous said...: Hi Nick Harber,
Ikonic are still contacting us. I have asked for them to post the 'so called' recordings but nothing in thepost yet. This morning I have asked for them to playback the recordings over the phone but they said they have to call back from another phone, no call as yet. I was just wondering if you have had anything more from them?; 5 November 2008 10:12
Anonymous said...: me too there are loads and we have been stung for ltteraly thousands before we twigged

i have founs a company called the advertising protection agency who say they can help get rid and even get some of you money back.

i'm a bit on the wary side since being done so far so i am waiting for TS to come back to me befor i go with them.

has anyone else heard of or used them it would be good to get and independant view.

i did find a couple of people whi i rang and they say they have use them and are over the moon with the service; 7 November 2008 15:27
Casey said...: I am now getting calls from an organisation that asks me if their removal of my details from a "charity database" is working. Apparently I have some agreement with them to do that! What with this and more calls from website optimisation people who claim that I have agreed with them to do something, I find the best way is to just say that you don't know anything about any of it and keep saying that till they hang up. No more from Ikonic, but maybe its them in another guise?; 11 November 2008 12:27
Anonymous said...: My wife has also been caught up in the infamous Ikonic Publications scam. The usual educational books scam etc....they have even sent us a crackly recording of the so called 'agreement to purchase'. as you would expect there is no agreement to purchase, no books, no discussion about what an dvert may look like, what school they would be sent to etc.. They have just threatened to take us to court which we are completely ignoring. Apparently the OFT say that some companies actualy send out fake summons notices, so we'll be on the look out.

AVOID LIKE THE PLAGUE....HANG UP...IGNORE ANY THREATS TO PAY IF YOU GET SUCKED IN.

AUTHORITIES - PLEASE SHUT DOWN THESE COMPANIES.

FELLOW CONSUMERS - ANYONE INTERESTED IN CLASS ACTION?; 11 November 2008 15:24
Dio Bach said...: Just got a new one, this time the company is called Advanced Publications, and they're on about doing a South Wales Police Initiative. I told them where to go. :D; 12 November 2008 11:28
kb said...: Hi Folks,

I too seem to have become a victim of the infamous IKONIC PUBLICATIONS. Sending me CD recording of some bogus agreement that I had made. Then they phoned me and when i told them that i was going to record them they hung up. Now they have written to me threatening to sue me.

stand firm on this SCAM or join me to fight them

KB; 19 November 2008 12:50
Bandit said...: I have also had the call from iconic, been in business a good few years now and realize a scam within a few seconds of them talking, what I tend to do if in the right mood is give them a load of lies about who I am and what I want, place massive orders, then get all the info sent to some made up address, seems a bit childish I know but they annoy people by calling with there junk so I just get my own back.

I did however give iconic an address where I can pick up the mail (just to have a bit of fun), I have had a few payment demands now, the last one was threatening court action, I?m looking forward to seeing what they do, I'm thinking of sending them a turd through the post with a covering letter saying this is what I think of your company, this too is childish but picture the look on the persons face that opens it.

My advice is GIVE THEM NOTHING, do what you can to waste there time and money and hopefully they will soon go out of business. If you?re not warped and twisted like me you could simply say no and hang up but where the fun in that.; 19 November 2008 22:16
Dawnie said...: i Love the turd idea - there are so many of these dodgy companies

i love the class action idea - you never know

im still unsure about the advertising protection agency but i'm thinking if many of us gang up on these companies we can stop them

also if everyone contacts watch dog maybe they will do a feature on it and highlight this scam

the reason these are getting away with it is that too many people dont find out about the scam till its too late they have already been sucked in; 20 November 2008 13:26
Anonymous said...: Another name on the scene is Waterhouse Publishing. Also based in Liverpool, but at a different address from Millenium, called me claiming to be from my local police service, and thanked me for "continuing to support the journal, which the officers were still using". Didn't ring any bells, but a few days later got an invoice for the better part of £200 allegedly for an Emergency Services Journal. Called the local police and they have never heard of this journal. Will be writing back to tell Waterhouse this and refusing to pay. Was a bit suspicious as the firm's email address is a generic one that you'd get from your Internet service provider!; 13 December 2008 09:09
Anonymous said...: Every advertising company that has been mentioned regarding these issues are listed at www.advertisingprotectionagency.org
This organisation prevents calls being made to businesses that do not wish to receive these types of sales calls.
This website is extremely interesting and informative.

Paul Baxter; 9 January 2009 13:19
Dio Bach said...: Hi Paul,

Thanks for that link, excellent site and resource.; 9 January 2009 13:58
Anonymous said...: Are TAPA straight up or are they part of the problem themselves? Somebody on Blagger thinks they might just be a clever variant on the original scam. What is people's experience?; 13 February 2009 22:59
Anonymous said...: i'm getting hassled by ikonic publications who called me using the name "child protection awareness"and claimed i had agreed to sponsor books for schools. i contacted the principal of my local school and he said he had never heard of them, i then contacted trading standards, they said its clearly a scam, pay them nothing no matter what they threaten. im now getting threatening letters from them saying they will take me to court and it will affect me getting a bank loan or overdraft. im keeping copies of all these letters to send to trading standards; 18 February 2009 00:30
zgirl said...: Advanced Publications have been hassling me - could really do without it as I'm 8.5 months pregnant!
Will tell them I'm on to them after reading all this - dodgy Scousers! Trying to rip off a soft Southerner! Not anymore!; 25 February 2009 16:49
Anonymous said...: Hi, We have really, really suffered as a result of this. A particular person in our business was none the wiser and was getting really confused with all the different campaigns and callers. This has had a very, very serious detrimental effect on the business.

All of the above tactics were used including supposed recorded calls, legal action, red letters, etc etc.

The other thing to be aware of is the "Database Removal Services". This is just another way if getting money off you. They also ask for publications for no other reason than to contact the businesses in there for adverts.

We have now written off the problem as a lesson learned so please, please make sure you know who you are advertising with, and make sure you have evidence of the circulation; 26 February 2009 16:44
Anonymous said...: I too have had dealings with Millenium Publications & Porter Publications Ltd both of Liverpool. Today I received a call from a company called Consumer Credit Solutions saying that a court summons has been issued against me from Crime Prevention Advice & Information Ltd for non-payment. This company can't even be found in the web. When I asked the caller his name he hesitated and then told me he was called Neil Risby (probably not his real name and number was witheld). This site has been so helpful to me. Just waiting to see what happens now.; 7 March 2009 15:29
Anonymous said...: Hi,

if a court summons has actually been issued against you, a copy would have been sent to you from the court concerned. Most of these "small claims" can be done on line and will come from the Court in Northampton. In any case they have to issue with a written summons and give you a chance to reply/explain within a set period.If someone is telling you that a summons has been issued, I'd hang on to see if anything arrives in the post. If not, tell them to go and..... well you know!; 8 March 2009 17:18
martin said...: Hi, Ican't beleive this company or is that being respectful.
I have also recently been scammed by mellenium media, and as you rightly put it getting involved in chit chat and using a certain part of the conversation as a password, telling you they have taped conversations, telling you that the company will pass it on to their debt revovery agency, well after reading the horror stories bring it on.
i can't wait until they contact me next although the last time the conversation he left with a flee in his ear the next time he or they will meet there match.; 22 April 2009 17:17
John in Chester said...: We have been "had" the same way by a company called ESM Community Media in Liverpool. They spoke to a Jnr member of my staff and took that as "a contract to proceed with the advert" in a bogus magazine. So far the Trading Standards have told me that the verbal conversation with 1 of my staff that they have a recording of WILL stand up in court !! - I to am suspicious of this "Advertising Protection Agency" - They told me if I signed up with them (£5.79 per month), they would take care of ESM for us and we would not have to worry about their threats from then on ?? - are they part of the same scam type, does anyone have any experience of them ?? - Is there not some "real" body that can fight on our behalf regarding this type of scam ?? - The FSB were not much help :( - Watching this thread with great interest... John in Chester; 30 April 2009 15:49
Anonymous said...: Glad you posted the number of the scamming call. I've just ignored the call from 0151 227 9584 and googled the number out of interest.; 9 July 2009 12:59
Anonymous said...: i am a self employed carpenter in surrey and was scammed by millenium media promising me untold work in their publications.as to day not one single enquiriy.be on the look out for dodgy scousers,theri are other companies weinstein publications,porterhouse as well,beware; 15 July 2009 09:48
Anonymous said...: So if we agreed over the phone to the advert, do we not have any rights to not pay if these magazines do not actually get sent anywhere other than us?; 29 July 2009 17:52
geoff connor said...: I am a sole trader based in shropshire and have had a two year nightmare with manchester and Liverpool scanners wanting money for the emergency services and childrens charities. I saw an article in last Thursdays daily mirror in a column called penman and sommerlad investigates where a pest controller had been scammed for thousands. He tried using a solicitor and it did not work. According to the journalist in the daily mirror this chap then approached The Advertising Protection Agency and they got rid of the problem and stopped the calls. I got in touch on Friday and registered with this organisation and so far I've not had any calls since registering. I know it's only been 5 days but I usually would have had around half a dozen sales calls in this time and I've not had any advertising sales calls yet. It seems to be working. I will give an update in a few weeks but so far so good. The fsb also recommend these guys on their website.; 26 August 2009 10:10
esm scam said...: i am in dispute with this esm community media right now, if the person who is alos having problems with them please email me and i will contact them and let them no were i am at, it may help you
e_fc317a@live.co.uk

anyone else having problem then email me and i may be able to help you also; 26 August 2009 15:32
stuart croker said...: iVE BEEN IN BUSINESS FOR ABOUT 1 HALF YEARS AND IVE PROB SPENT ABOUT £1000 ON THIS TYPE OF SCAM TILL IT CAME TO MY ATTENTION AND REALISED IT WAS ALL CRAP.
Im gutted that all my money has gone to they's low lifes.
Only realised when i had a threatening call from a company called THE GREEN TEAM Telling me i owed them £230 for an add i can never rmember placing. 3 weeks later got told Baliffs are coming round etc etc. Be aware. Never give them personel details they will use that as a password and a confermation. I feel sorry for the real companies out there that are trying to make money and everyone will think its a scam.; 1 September 2009 14:15
Anonymous said...: Hello, I also have been scammed by Millenium Media, just this morning received an invoice from them which I dont remember agreeing to. did a search on their company and found all this.
As I am still within the 7 day cooling off period I have sent them a standard letter from the consumer direct website for Consumer protection (distant selling) regulations 2000, You can also get a copy of these regulations from them. I have taken advise from my solictor, and he has informed me to contact the police, giving the address of these parasites, so that they can investigate, and under no circumstances should I give them a penny, if possible do not answer any phone calls from them, and save all correspondence as evidence, especially if its threatening.
I am also contacting BBC WATCHDOG it would be very helpful if we all did the same, sheer weight of complaints etc
good luck to us all; 2 September 2009 16:36
Anonymous said...: Hi
We have just been scammed in the same way, wanted to bring it to your attention as it's a name which hasn't been mentioned so far in other posts.
The company is called Street Beats Associates in Liverpool, they are apparently bringing out a magazine called Street Beats which will be distributed in our area, shops, offices, schools etc. Sounded good at the time and my fiance has just started up as a mobile mechanic in our area and thought the advertising sounded good. Paid the money and now we've realised after some internet investigation they were talking nonsense. The 'design' of the advert they sent through was appalling, and they couldn't tell us anything useful about the distribution/readership etc. They don't even have a website or examples of previous publications even though they have apparently been up and running for 18 months.
We're now trying to get our money back, saying we're under the 7 day cooling off period but we don't hold out much hope.
I hope this serves as a warning to other small businesses, we hope nobody else has to go through all this like we have. The amount we paid (£185) may not seem like a lot but for a small new business it's a large amount.
Elizabeth and Duncan.; 3 September 2009 15:06
Vardis Driving School Preston said...: I am amazed how many different firms there are like this out there. Good luck getting your money back guys.; 8 September 2009 15:46
Anonymous said...: I got caught by ESM and citzen advice said I should pay as I had agreed on tape. After I paid CAB said they were writing to them to try and get my money refunded but nothing happend but this morning CRIMESTOPPERS phoned me I told them it's a scam they said I could check their website. I said no thank you. WHY aren't the police or someone doing something about these creatures. They need to be exterminated.; 9 September 2009 12:31
Alison said...: Has anyone else been sent bogus invoices by Tulip Publishing? I am now receiving threatenting letters from their partners in crime FGD Debt Management Services for £195 they allege I owe for an advert I never agreed to in a publication I had never heard of. I wondered if they have targeted anyone else here?; 21 September 2009 17:21
Anonymous said...: Here's another name for the list - Sunny Meadow, claiming to publish for the Crime Prevention Campaign. Phone number usually withheld, but once came up as 0161 235 5112 (01612355112). Avoid!!!; 24 September 2009 16:23
Anonymous said...: Sunny Meadow are a nightmare- they keep contacting me wanting payment for something I havent ordered! I have reported this scam to watchdog and advise everyone to do the same so action can be taken against these companies!; 2 October 2009 09:28
Anonymous said...: I received a phone call from Andy Hall saying I owed £95 for an advert in an Emergency Services Magazine. He said they'd send me 9 letters (I never received one) and that a tape had been played in court of me agreeing to take out an advert in this publication. He said there had been a judgement against me and when I asked what court this was heard in he said 'it's too late for that'.
I asked for his address and the name of the court - he wouldn't give either to me. I've checked with Chester Court and there were no judgements in my name or my company's name. We gave him a fax number to send any documentation to us. We are still waiting.; 14 October 2009 11:47
Anonymous said...: I have been having trouble with ESM myself, they have stopped contacting me but now im getting demanding phone calls and letters from CF&L(whos invoices are almost identical to esm's, coincidence). They are now threatening me with solicitors but i intend to pay them nothing, ESM, from what i have been told, have to take me to court first before passing the debt onto anyone else so CF&L have no legal right to come after me for payment.; 15 October 2009 16:35
Anonymous said...: Tulip Publishing have sent me the FGD debt threat letter for an ad never placed.contacted chester police about them, they seemed like they wanted to help but were chasing shadows I felt. Ignore all letters and get on with your life. Good luck eveyone.; 16 October 2009 12:10
Anonymous said...: I have received an invoice today from Tulip Publishing for £195 for an advert in 9Nine9 Emergency Services Booklet with my name as the reference. Waiting for the debt letters to start soon.; 21 October 2009 11:52
Anonymous said...: We have an invoice for £199.00 from FGD Publishing and Media for advert in "Breast Cancer Awareness Booklet". Needless to say we have placed no such order, and indeed have never heard from this company before.

Their address is given as Westminster Chambers, 7 Hunter St, Chester and the name of the proprietor as F Doherty (the phone is answered, but with no name given).

It's interesting to note the similarities ("we tape record all our telephone calls") with other people's posts here.

This type of problem continues at a fairly low rate and is not new. Does anyone remember fake directory entries from Switzerland??; 27 October 2009 12:02
Jill said...: Have paid hundreds of pounds to vardis over the years...feel quite sick to see how much money I've wasted. This weeks latest company is Access Media in Bromborough, Wirral for £295...they are now asking for passwords so keep your heads straight and don't do as i did and gave one of my usual online passwords...took me hours this morning changing all my passwords to various companies online. Thanks for all the comments it's been really useful...just want to go out in the world and shout to all business owners about these scams so they realize...thought I was quite clued up on this till now!!!! Damn, Damn, Damn; 18 November 2009 22:27
Anonymous said...: Thanks to you all I've just saved myself £95.00 for an advert. Streetbeat Associates, Il Palazzo, Office F2 - F3, No7 Water Street, Liverpool, L2 0RD Tel 0151 229 1761. I did an online search and they came up on the advertising protection agency website as a company being investigated so the warning bells started, but nothing else came up. it was only when i found your tread that the true extent of the problem came to light. thanks Y'all. i'm goin back to TAPA to give them all my invoice details 'n' stuff.; 4 December 2009 09:55
Anonymous said...: its sad to hear that people are so quick to judge people even if its just on the telephone eg he's a scouser. Is it cause its stereotypical for all people from liverpool to be labelled as 'Thieves' or 'Untrustworthy'. I have had the pleasure of dealing with Mr Anderson for some time an will continue to do so. So for all you people out there who want to believe this nonsense they can suck my balls, an if they still dont believe they can carry on sucking. Regards A.Sugar MBE aka your fired.; 7 December 2009 15:42
Dio Bach said...: Hmmm, thanks for that useless info Sir Alan...; 7 December 2009 16:01
Paul said...: Hello,
We're at the " notice of intention to issue a county court claim" stage with millenium media.
It's the same old tale told here on numerous occasions, phone call, told no thank you, crappy advert sent for approval which was just a photocopy of our web home page, bills arriving for £143.75, which we have ignored up to now.
We have just received our second dodgy invoice from Porter publications? I think thats what they're calling themselves this week? for £195.00 and a copy of the worst calender with crappy adverts all round it, attached.This time it is just a photocopy of our advert in the Thomson Local!
I need to remove someones teeth :)
Has anyone else got to this stage and if so what did you do?
Thanks

Paul; 8 December 2009 00:03
Joe said...: THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!

I think you have just saved me £281.75. I was looking for the website mellium media gave me on their paper work, and found you instead. Their address doesn't seem to exist!
And please note... Before bailifs/debt collectors can take your stuff, they have to apply to county court, and you should be issued with court papers allowing you time to file a defence.
Thanks again xxx; 13 December 2009 21:59
Anonymous said...: I have been scammed too, by a company called Weinstein Williams. I think the money is gone, but the really scary bit it the way they obviously sell on my data to other rogues - Tulip Publishing, Costello Ltd and Thorn Publishing. All of these have now issued demands for further stupid ads in some fictitious emergency services newspaper.
The best thing to do is reject these robustly in writing and on e-mail, saying you never instructed the ad and copying in your local trading standards office. They told me I had done exactly what they would advise.
However, I wonder if anyone else has heard of the 'Advertising Protection Agency'. They say they are investigating all these scams and sound like your friend - and then want to charge a tenner a month to register. Have I become too suspicious? Does anyone know who these people are and if they're legitimate or just another scam?; 18 December 2009 17:18
kala said...: Beware of Advanced publications and ideal publications. who do not seem too ingenious intheir ways to con people. They have been using exactly the same tactics for some time its the new business like us who fall for it. We suspected it was fishy when he started to ring 5-8 times to get that order and kept reducing the price of the advert. We have now informed west yorkshire police.Yorkshirepropertylettings

They have just copied our website page and sent a sample as ad. I am sure they are still thriving and contuing the same atct as it succeeds

BEWARE and Spread the message to colleagues starting Business; 20 December 2009 14:12
Greg Cunnington said...: Had a phone call from advanced publishing today and i agreed for an advert as it was a good deal,........ decided i better double check details before they sent me anything to sign.

Glad i used my instinct.... they even have a belivable website www.advancedpublications.co.uk

im going to wind them up something proper when they strat ringing and threatening me

well done for making this article!; 6 January 2010 19:19
Anonymous said...: If you have been scammed by some of these so called advertising companies,go to this site :http://www.advertisingprotectionagency.org/ and click on the "Ledger of Monitoring files"and this will give you a list of all these so called advertising companies.Have been scammed for a lot of money myself,you are not alone.Go to your bank if you payed by credit card,ask if they can contact fraud office.; 9 January 2010 21:23
Anonymous said...: I too were suffering at the hands of these con-artist advertising companies. I was in receit of over 10 invoices totalling in excess of £3000 in october last year & I approached the advertising protection agency. Since then the 12 threatening debt recovery calls I was receiving on a daily basis have completely stopped in less than 7 days of registering my details with the advertising protection agency I have since received letters of withdrawl & cancellation from all of the firms. I dont know what I would have done if it wasnt for these guys.; 11 January 2010 21:36
Anonymous said...: Just Been on the phone to advanced publications, very believable website but definately a scam. glad i said no.; 20 January 2010 10:27
Anonymous said...: The Advertising Protection agency is a scam. It is run by people who used to be in the advertising industry. You will pay £100+ a year just to get a list of companies and some cleverly worded paperwork. They have no powers and can do nothing to prevent other advertisers from contacting you. Spread the word.....; 20 January 2010 12:58
C Jones said...: Thank you so much to all the people posting here. Our small business is having a problem with BCS Multimedia aka ESM Community Media. their website is registered by Paul Good. We have received our first debt collection letter from CF&L. No proper address, just a box number. I would also urge people to visit blagger.com
Thanks to my complaint on there about BCS, it is on the first page of google if anyone does a dearch for this company. Worth adding your thought if you have been a victim of this company.; 23 January 2010 12:45
Anonymous said...: Hi,

I am in the middle of a dispute with 'Abingdon House Limited' regarding an advert in 'Safeguard Magazine'. Has anyone had deelings wt this company. I did originally take out an ad after a 'policeman' called but cancelled a little while after as they were pressuring me into another add, making me believe it was the same one. Anyway, the invoice is for 1/4 page advert. I got a magazine last week with my add in. Ad is only 1/8 (if that). I have requested copies of all the recorded phone calls, full contact name of the police contact who mae the first call and a list of all address it was delivered to (250000). As yet they will not reply to my requests but just keep phoning saying they will take me to court if I do not pay. I have received one e-mail saying the recording were attached, they were not, and I would received a list within 48 hours. Still not got that. I have told them not to phone but to only communicte in writing. Still had four phone calls over two days. They have threatened to report me to trading standards and the police. They are on the TAPA list but just wondered who else has had dealings with them. Thanks; 27 January 2010 17:00
Anonymous said...: I would take a look at blagger.com. Some mentions on there about Abingdon, also Millenium who seem to be affiliated to Abingdon.; 27 January 2010 20:16
Anonymous said...: I am amazed by the advice dished out by Trading Standards and CAB to pay up. We are being chased after my husband unknowing spoke to an advertising scam company. They will not be getting a penny. They will not take anyone to court because they don't have a leg to stand on. I am looking forward to their next phone call because I have found out a great deal about them and at least three other companies they are associated with. It is their word against yours. What court is going to believe known scammers?; 28 January 2010 15:10
Anonymous said...: I have been following this site and it gave me the confidance not to pay these scammers.
Don't pay them anything.We had calls from tulip publishingin Chester using a box number,funny when we would not pay them they used a debt collecting company using the same address different box number that tulip used they have gone away now,probably calling the company something else now.
They will go away if you tell them to take YOU to court,
Tell them that you are looking forward to seeing them there so a judge can decide on what sort of practices they are running,
I stood my ground after visting a solicitor and also the police both adviced me to not pay.A so called police officer called us thanking for our advert placement(not) the real police called this number asking if the person if he was pc officer ---- the person put the phone down.Scam.
I am very surprised these scammers are still making a living out of us.; 2 February 2010 10:24
Anonymous said...: Just got off the phone with the Scouser at Millenium Media after saying no to him for the first time in just under 2 years. The attitude changed in an instant and he became instantly unprofessional and quite malicious. 2mins of research has just saved me a fortune I imagine over the next few years.

I will be recording all phone calls from now on to ensure we catch him in the act. Also reporting Millenium Media to trading standards.

Huge thank you to everyone that has posted to date.; 2 February 2010 11:33
Anonymous said...: anyone heard of a company called MMMGB Ltd/ Blueline Publications? They are based (obviously) in Liverpool and both myself and my business partner have been hassled by them lately nice as pie at first then aggressive when you decline their offers. If they call you I suggest you hang up and certainly don't do business with them.; 5 February 2010 10:38
Anonymous said...: a friend got caught by a company called weinstein williams she said they impersonated a policeman and said her money went to the local police station!!!; 5 February 2010 12:56
Anonymous said...: If these companies have a website, do a 'whois' search. This will give you the name of the website registrant and any other websites they own. These scumbags often have multiple scams operating. Also check the Companies House website.These so-called companies and their debt collection agencies are bogus. Above all, do not pay them a penny, tell them you know it is a scam and you will report them to the police and trading standards.; 6 February 2010 10:12