Scam alert: "you agreed to sponsor a book"

[Henry N]

One update. What had surprised me was the amount of information about me including the reference to the original charity book sponsor. This company was 'Child Guidance UK' - when I searched last night I found this company had been moved to be struck off the companies register last month.

 

[Rose Hypno]

I am glad to have found this thread as I received a call this afternoon.
The lady, with a Lancashire accent, almost convinced me that I had agreed to sponsor the printing of a book about bullying. She said I could help choose a local school.
I kept telling her that I could not recall the conversation she promised I'd had with her colleague a few months ago.
When she said I didn't have to pay today but I had a week to do so I started to get a really bad feeling about the call. She said that following payment I would receive an email and a call from her accounts department and that this would be followed by a 'welcome pack' and a copy of the book. She kept telling me that the books had been printed now with my details in (as I had agreed to be a sponsor). I actually asked her how I would know BEFORE making the payment that this was not a scam. I asked her why she couldn't send me a copy of the page of the book which included my details and she changed the subjected saying that they had written to me since the last call.
I just kept saying that I really didn't remember the call and that I would remember promising something like that. She started getting impatient with me and said that the best thing she could do was to get a different department to call me back and play the recording of the call 3 months ago back to me. I agreed. She hung up. How can people do that job? Horrible!
I have just called the number back and surprise, surprise - it is currently not in use!
The number was 0330 0467511 by the way.

 

[Mitch3473]

How I wish these people would phone me up when I'm quiet.

 

[Henry N]

Rose, so if you call follows the pattern, they will try one more time to get you to fund the 'book' - then in about 3-6 months time you will get a call from a 'baliff' (usually after hours), who apologises that his colleagues are delayed, but that they will be coming to your house within 30 mins to collect £5,000 'debt' - since they will say that when you thought you were agreeing to a single 'book' you had actually agreed a subscription. They will accept half if you pay them over the phone or by card when they arrive. These calls are very scary, but now that you know it's a scam, get as many details as you can and give them to the Police and Action Fraud.

 

[ethical PR]

Hope you reported them @Rose Hypno

 

[gibby]

So it is still going then?
I found that when they call you, ask for their phone number and you will call them back.
This is where they hang up.

 

[Trevor Harding]

I've been open as a small retail business for 6 years this month.

I recall 'Child Protection UK Ltd' calling me very early on with the line so often quoted of approximately 'we'd like to thank you for your support for our drug awareness booklet and we're just ring to see what school you want them sent to'.

Of course had never agreed to this / recognised that I'd spoke to them previously but they sent me a mock-up of what the booklet would look like with my shop name in the inside cover. I ignored this as it was clearly either a scam or VERY naff.

Over the years I've had a few calls from them with the same line and I've said 'I have never agreed to anything and/or I don't know what you're talking about' to which they always said 'OK then' and immediately hung up - also always seems to be the same woman with Manchester-ish accent.

Then in early December 2017 a man rung (with a matching accent) to warn me that bailiffs were on their way to my premises as I have an outstanding CCJ against me. I was initially alarmed (as that is the sensible response!) and when I queried what the debt was for they said it was for non-payment of a subscription relating to Child Protection UK Ltd.
The company name rang a bell but despite my constant dismissal of the company over the years I couldn't help get carried away by the fear and imagine I missed something and had inadvertently agreed to a subscription. The real fear kicked in when they said the outstanding debt was £4350(ish)!!!!
At that point I went mad on the phone asking for more details and that I would not pay the debt as while I recall the company contacting me I have no recollection of agreeing to anything at all. In response to this they said they had a recording of me agreeing to the subscription but when I asked to be sent proof their story / attack started to appear unsure. They then got off the phone calling back 10 minutes later with 'good news' my debt has been reduced to £2800 to which I responded with 'that's all well and good but I'm not paying anything as I never agreed to this'. Then same again, they got off the phone and rang back with a lower amount to which I responded the same as before. They left me with essentially 'well tough the bailiffs are coming and they'll be with you in 30 minutes' - on a side note each time they rang they were sure to maintain that the bailiffs were closing in, like bad weather, to add to the fear factor!

After I got off the phone that 3rd time I went online to see if this had happened to anyone else and I was ecstatic to find this thread and others confirming that it's a scam and no bailiffs come.

I write here today as a curtailed version of the above sequence happened again less than an hour ago (February 14th 2018)! This time the amount was approximately if not exactly the same at £4350ish and in response I was calm and curious and started asking questions quickly without getting annoyed. They seemed keen to get off the phone trying to wrap up with 'you don't need to write anything down just know that the bailiffs are on the way'. They didn't seem to try and take money from me this time which was nice / confusing - side note, it was 100% the same guy as before and no bailiffs have materialised (yet).

Despite knowing this was a scam and recognising the same guy on the phone I still felt quite shaken by it. I really don't know how these people don't hate themselves. I would bet a lot of people really panic on the phone, even getting emotional. I know I got very angry the first time around and they knew about it.

I 1471'd the number and got this one - 07386 590348.


Hope this helps.

 

[Trevor Harding]

The exact same thing has happened to me this week, I have reported to Action Fraud.

 

[Rollercoaster60]

This happened to us today. We were called by a man calling himself Mark Hughes from Vodafone number 07990652924. He claimed our company had signed up to help a local school and mentioned the Child Protection Group. We did indeed receive a booklet about this, but we did not sign or agree to anything. Mark Hughes informed us it had already gone to court and we owed £2,865.60 and that unless we paid now, he would be paying us a visit in 30 minutes and with his costs added on, the total bill would be £3,024.60. We told him we had not received any paperwork about a CCJ for this or indeed anything, but he kept on demanding the money.

He then decided he would speak to a Mr Hayles or Mr Hailes from the Child Protection Group (who had allegedly taken us to court) to see if he would agree to us paying a lesser amount. Miraculously and rather quickly (despsite the case having allegedly already gone to court) Mr Hayles or Mr Hailes agreed to us paying £2,400.00, but that he would not accept payment installments, we had to pay it all now or he would be visiting us in 30 minute's time. However, when he was informed that we would not simply pay him on his say so and without so much as a shred of paper to prove we owed it, we mentioned that he could be a scammer. This elicited a very angry response from Mark Hughes and he snapped that he would be round in 30 minutes and hung up.

We did not receive a visit and he called 3 1/2 hrs ago.

 

[JamesTweedie]

Hi Rollercoaster60,

This sounds exactly like my experience (reported here earlier in the year). They use scare tactics together with catching you off your guard.

The steps I have taken since then are:

1) Try to filter on the displayed number - they seem to come from a given range of numbers. I'll let it ring out and see if they leave a message. These scammers won't. I have phoned back - but the numbers are never answered or have some avoidance message.

2) I cross check using some of the on-line phone number checking sites. Quite often the numbers will have been reported on these.
I add any suspect numbers to a block list (we use BT Cloud phone so it's straightforward to do this).

3) I have the call recording command labelled on the phone so if I do, mistakenly, answer it then I can start recording immediately. I haven't used this yet - but I suspect it'll cause them to hang up immediately.

Here's the current list of our blocked numbers that are confirmed scammers in case they are of use to anyone here to add to their block list:
0161 968 2086
020 3129 3032
020 3476 7365
020 3598 5420
020 3598 6946
020 3936 8382
020 3936 8383
020 7740 0005
020 8077 9912
020 8433 6064
023 9228 0086
0333 202 9500
0333 212 3849
0800 085 6829

This happened to us today. We were called by a man calling himself Mark Hughes from Vodafone number 07990652924. He claimed our company had signed up to help a local school and mentioned the Child Protection Group. We did indeed receive a booklet about this, but we did not sign or agree to anything. Mark Hughes informed us it had already gone to court and we owed £2,865.60 and that unless we paid now, he would be paying us a visit in 30 minutes and with his costs added on, the total bill would be £3,024.60. We told him we had not received any paperwork about a CCJ for this or indeed anything, but he kept on demanding the money.

He then decided he would speak to a Mr Hayles or Mr Hailes from the Child Protection Group (who had allegedly taken us to court) to see if he would agree to us paying a lesser amount. Miraculously and rather quickly (despsite the case having allegedly already gone to court) Mr Hayles or Mr Hailes agreed to us paying £2,400.00, but that he would not accept payment installments, we had to pay it all now or he would be visiting us in 30 minute's time. However, when he was informed that we would not simply pay him on his say so and without so much as a shred of paper to prove we owed it, we mentioned that he could be a scammer. This elicited a very angry response from Mark Hughes and he snapped that he would be round in 30 minutes and hung up.

We did not receive a visit and he called 3 1/2 hrs ago.

 

[Rollercoaster60]

Hi James, thank you for your post. The three things that flagged all this up as a scam (apart from the fact we didn't sign up for anything) were:-

1. Every question Mark Hughes was asked about the paperwork and us having not received a thing; he dodged. We asked him to forward the paperwork and he said he would bring it with him, but of course, he stressed that that would incur his fees.

2. How quickly he 'managed' to get hold of Mr Hayles (Hailes?) and a lesser amount was agreed. This literally took about 30 seconds.

3. What bailiff rings ahead to warn you of his visit? Surely if he were truly only 30 minutes away, he'd simply have walked through the door.

We asked Mr Hughes who he worked for and he claimed to be a High Court Enforcement Officer and said our case had gone through the Justice Centre in Liverpool.

We have reported all this to Action Fraud, but if anyone can recommend anyone else we should report this to, then please do.

 

[Anderz]

On the same note just had Nets refund phising type of email which got forward to Nets department for that. Key to spot? Refund outside Denmark to a credit card number that did not align with mine.

Be very aware of emails and phones

 

[Agarwood]

Unfortunately there's a rats nest of publishing and debt collection scams that pop up every few months round the Fylde Coast and Liverpool.

 

[Jim Woodhead]

Thanks for this thread... I was called yesterday by a woman with a Cheshire accent representing Safety Guide, asking me what school I wanted the guide that I was sponsoring sent to.

When I questioned her, she said that I'd agreed back in May to sponsor this publication.

I told her that I'd made no agreement to sponsor anything I was told that I'd agreed to sponsor this booklet for a year rather than for a five year package and that they were drawing up an invoice for £190 to send over.

I told her that I was adamant that I'd not signed up, so she claimed that they had a recording of the call and would speak to the team that looked after that. Strangely, I am yet to receive a call on that one...

 

[Clodbuster]

People must be falling for this, it's been going for years.

 

[Jim Woodhead]

People must be falling for this, it's been going for years.

I do think that the whole thing is predicated on the idea that the person who picks up the phone won't remember what's been signed up to and what hasn't. If it sounds convincing enough, then people will just pay the money and not question. Also, I noted how they made the amount just enough to be valuable but not so much that it would really be noticed.

 

[Ashley_Price]

People must be falling for this, it's been going for years.

Indeed it has - even this thread started in 2012.

 

[Ashley_Price]

I do think that the whole thing is predicated on the idea that the person who picks up the phone won't remember what's been signed up to and what hasn't. If it sounds convincing enough, then people will just pay the money and not question. Also, I noted how they made the amount just enough to be valuable but not so much that it would really be noticed.

I really can't believe though that someone wouldn't remember agreeing to sponsor something like a book. You'd have to be pretty forgetful for something like this.

 

[Jim Woodhead]

I really can't believe though that someone wouldn't remember agreeing to sponsor something like a book. You'd have to be pretty forgetful for something like this.

I just think that it's a numbers game - you hit the right sized business and sound convincing enough, people will pay up. Considering how long this has been going, then someone must be forking out their money...

 

[Blaby Loyal]

I really can't believe though that someone wouldn't remember agreeing to sponsor something like a book. You'd have to be pretty forgetful for something like this.

Oh, they're out there my friend, they're out there.

I'm dealing with the wife of a bloke who has just been out to Africa to look at his diamond mine investment. You'll never guess what ....

 

[Gnome]

Books for Schools:
i just had one of these calls today as I was driving home from a meeting. Very aggressive (they had called my office line and my husband had given them my mobile number thinking they were a client) every time I tried to ask a question he talked over me and told me they had a CCJ for non payment of an agreement I had entered into with Books for Schools and that they would be 'there' within 15 minutes and had the power to take whatever they wanted, to get in a locksmith if there was no-one in and could even take my car away. Apparently they also have a recording of the the conversation and it was definitely me... We got the number he called from 07956 587 328 and I called him he said he had passed it back to the agency and when i asked what it was about i was told I would find out in the morning....

There are some filthy scammers out there and this is very unpleasant.

 

[Root 66 Woodshop]

what a load of BS HAHA!

No Locksmith would take that work on, it's far from legal.

a CCJ does not allow anyone to enter your property whether you're available or not.

They're trying it on, tell them to do one

 

[owas]

I had this call today and of course, told them to keep walking. I am curious though, are they breaking any particular laws, why can't they stopped?

Related to this, an elderly friend paid for some health products that were sold to her over the phone, then they kept taking money from her account and sending the products each month at a cost of £150 a go even though she asked them to stop. We helped stop it by getting a new card set up as prior to this the bank was very unhelpful. Again this comes down to morally wrong or breaking the law?

 

[obscure]

I had this call today and of course, told them to keep walking. I am curious though, are they breaking any particular laws, why can't they stopped?

Because they agree to publish but don't provide any meaningful details in writing. So they publish 10 copies and spend zero on distribution or marketing.

 

[WatchingandWaiting]

My wife and I had the threatening bailiff treatment last week - very distressing and worrying even though we were pretty sure it was a scam. All because my wife sponsored the "Drugs Awareness" booklet from Child Protection UK - she cancelled but was then approached by Data (Northern) which she also accused of being a scam. I would be interested to know how our details were passed on from a company which had been close down

So, as far as I am concerned the responsibility/blame for the threatening phone call goes back to Paula Carson and Paul Douglas Carson - who have been identified in an interesting article. I cannot insert the link but you can find it by this Google search - government/news/couple-banned-after-duping-businesses-to-sponsor-educational-materials

You can also get their home address quite easily by entering their names online

As for Data (Data Northern) - it also is now closed down according to an article which you can access with this Google search /government/news/company-conned-small-businesses-to-sponsor-sham-drug-campaigns

Having reported the threatening phone call to Action Fraud we shall be going back to Action Fraud to provide this additional information this week and consider what further steps we can take. I suggest that anyone else who has suffered from this scam might do likewise

 

[Qukaylan]

These scammers are using incredible techniques and they are getting sophisticated. People should be well aware of their scamming techniques. This is why I find these information on forum very valuable, as one of ways to stay protected is to be informed

 

[Brian Blandford]

Last year I foolishly signed up for sponsorship of a "bullying awareness leaflet" to be distributed to a couple of schools in London by the same couple. I paid £64, they sent me a little leaflet which didn't seem much use, and I thought the matter was closed. They then telephoned me again and said that I was due to pay another £340, which I declined. Today I had a phone call from "The legal department" of the company, allegedly called "Safety Guide," saying that I had signed indeed up for the second instalment, and they were going to take legal action against me. They wouldn't give me their address, while demanding my email address, so I put the phone down. Thanks to this forum, I have tracked down the scammers, who live in Congleton, Cheshire. Well done!

 

[Ziggrs]

Brian, thank you for sharing your story on this forum. It is almost incredible how they are trying to scare people with some imaginary law actions. Luckily, you were smart enough, but I was just wondering how many people they actually managed to trick in this way? It is horrible

 

[EmWill]

This scam has started up again

They called our business two days ago claiming to be bailiffs saying we owed £3200 to Safeguarding Network for advertising in an antibullying book. They used our name, address and business info saying we had an outstanding debt that had been passed onto them from Essex County Court. His number was: 07584447250

Today we received a call from a woman claiming to be from the Safeguarding Network saying our books has been printed and ready to be sent out. When I questioned her she stated that I had verbally agreed this with them over the phone and that I was responsible for the outstanding fee. Her number was: 07383137954

We called the Central Register of Judgement to confirm our business didn’t have any outstanding fines or payments and the lady said that these guys have been running this scam for several years now and are very convincing but it is just a scam.

Both reported to action fraud.

 

[Newchodge]

This scam has started up again

They called our business two days ago claiming to be bailiffs saying we owed £3200 to Safeguarding Network for advertising in an antibullying book. They used our name, address and business info saying we had an outstanding debt that had been passed onto them from Essex County Court. His number was: 07584447250

Today we received a call from a woman claiming to be from the Safeguarding Network saying our books has been printed and ready to be sent out. When I questioned her she stated that I had verbally agreed this with them over the phone and that I was responsible for the outstanding fee. Her number was: 07383137954

We called the Central Register of Judgement to confirm our business didn’t have any outstanding fines or payments and the lady said that these guys have been running this scam for several years now and are very convincing but it is just a scam.

Both reported to action fraud.

Thanks for the heads up. This particular scam was going around a few yea\rs ago, they must have restarted. It is linked to the one where they claim you have agreed to an advert in a police officer/fire officer/nursing handbook. They sometimes win if a company has staff who assume they are being helpful by making the payment.

 

[prophet01]

I hadn't seen that one. Here's another similar.
School book scam

 

[Fagin2021]

"Less than 1% of cases received by Action Fraud result in a criminal justice outcome, where an offender is charged or prosecuted for the crime."

Like so many Government watchdogs - a complete waste of time, set up so they can be seen to be 'doing something'.

 

[prophet01]

I'd relish being head of one of one of those types of watchdog.

Then again, someone like me would never get a sniff as I'd be too effeective for the liking of 'the establishment'

 

[WaveJumper]

I'd relish being head of one of one of those types of watchdog.

Then again, someone like me would never get a sniff as I'd be too effeective for the liking of 'the establishment'

Ive got you down as our very own UKBF watchdog

 

[MikeJ]

"Less than 1% of cases received by Action Fraud result in a criminal justice outcome, where an offender is charged or prosecuted for the crime."

Like so many Government watchdogs - a complete waste of time, set up so they can be seen to be 'doing something'.

I'd imagine 99% of these scams originate outside the UK.

 

[prophet01]

Ive got you down as our very own UKBF watchdog

Ha ha, not sure about being a watchdog, however, as a consultant I'm often used by the client as an attackdog, but only against those who've committed wrongdoing.

 

[prophet01]

Like so many Government watchdogs - a complete waste of time, set up so they can be seen to be 'doing something'.

At least in respect of Action Fraud, their performance is being monitored and highly criticised by the Committee of Public Accounts

3. Victims of fraud are being failed by Action Fraud, which risks undermining public trust in the police. We are seriously concerned that the failures of Action Fraud in supporting victims of fraud has earned it the nickname “Inaction Fraud”.

 

[Fagin2021]

And now – this morning's prize for the most convincing scam (email as sent) …

We exist.encountering issues with your present payment information. Interested in trying another transaction?Here is the provided card data.Below, you will find the card information.Please find the card details below.Kindly refer to the card information below.The card details are listed below.

And the worst targeted email header...

'Transform Your Church's Atmosphere with Shadow Industrial's Ecclesiastical Heating Solutions'

My cup runneth over.

 

[WaveJumper]

More like hells fire ?

 

[Mark T Jones]

Over the years I've had quite a lot of exposure to fraud (old-school, not cyber).

My conclusion is that there are 2 types of fraud, being smart/sophisticated and quick-hit.

Smart/sophisticated is a tiny minority, but they will get you. They will employ teams of professionals to support them. On the other hand, they are unlikely to target small business or Jo Public.

The vast majority are quick hit, and are pretty easy to get rid of:

Never, ever get a payment card out on the back of a single inbound phone call or email.

Ask lots of questions.

Demand it in writing.

Without fail They will move on to find a softer target.