Ensure the cause is genuine before supporting

The Trading Standards team at Orkney Islands Council are urging local businesses to remain wary when answering unsolicited phone calls from publishing companies out with Orkney.

A number of businesses have been contacted by publishers offering advertising space in magazines, leaflets or calendars.  These publishers claim an association with good causes – such as drug awareness charities, hospitals or support for emergency service staff.

The business can expect to receive an invoice for the advertisement, often even if they have not agreed to support the publication. If this is the case, then the Trading Standards team would like to reassure local businesses that these invoices do not have to be paid as either there is no contract, or it has been agreed on the basis of false claims.

Alison Campbell, Trading Standards officer for Orkney Islands Council, said: “If any publications are produced, they are generally in a very small print run with limited distribution and possibly no local relevance. There is no guarantee that the good causes will benefit to any significant extent.”

If any local businesses has received such a call or invoice, or would like further information, Trading Standards can be contacted on 873535 or by email to trading.standards@orkney.gov.uk.