Small businesses are being warned about a scam in which fraudsters contact them offering to get their company details noticed online.
Manchester City Council’s trading standards officers are warning start-ups and other small businesses to be wary of individuals contacting them, claiming to be on behalf of Google or Facebook, promising to get the companies’ listings greater prominence.
The fraudsters ask up to £300 for this service, before simply contacting Google listings to ask for the company’s details to be promoted – something which businesses can do themselves for free.
Small businesses are being advised that the fraudsters will often contact them via e-mail or through the company’s online form, they will often use non-professional e-mail addresses, they do not have their own website, and often don’t provide a telephone number or even a company name.
The warning comes as part of Scams Awareness Month, in which the City Council’s trading standards officers will be working with Manchester Citizens’ Advice Bureau to advise residents about how to avoid becoming victims of scams.
Councillor Bernard Priest, Manchester’s City Council’s deputy leader, said: “A lot of Mancunians have set up their own small businesses over the last few years and while most of them are savvy enough to recognise a scam when they see one, it’s disappointing that there are fraudsters out there trying to exploit the rise in start-up companies.
“I’d advise anyone to be very wary if they are contacted out of the blue by people offering this service for a fee, and if they are suspicious to contact our trading standards department.”
Anyone who thinks they have been a victim of a scam should contact trading standards through the Citizens Advice consumer service on 08454 04 05 06. They can also get online advice at www.adviceguide.org.uk or report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.
