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Ad requests not linked to Neighbourhood SupportBy JARED SMITH, Taranaki Daily News
Neighbourhood Support co-ordinator Debbie Gut said they had received information about a man phoning businesses locally about advertising they supposedly bought before Christmas. "He introduces himself as Craig from Neighbourhood Support and tells people their advertisement will appear in a Neighbourhood Support publication called 'Safer Communities'. "This person has no connection to Neighbourhood Support and we do not have any publication called Safer Communities. He's definitely been ringing builders, and he also seems to be moving on to accommodation now." Prices quoted in advertising proofs sent to local tradesmen include $350 and $395 for a quarter page in the publication. The proofs also contained different fax numbers as a point of contact. Bell Block's Virginia Marshall, administration and sales manager for Wanaka Bay Village Development, said she received a call from a "Craig" at 11.15am yesterday. She was faxed a "proof of a supposed ad" 15 minutes later, with a bill for $495 plus GST for a quarter page advertisement in Safer Neighbourhoods. "He rang back to follow up and see if it was fine, But I said I would deal with it later." Ms Marshall said it was not the first time they had received dodgy requests like this, and not just from this individual either. The advertisement contained an 09 area code phone number, which the Taranaki Daily News rang and spoke to a man identifying himself as Craig Smith. Mr Smith kept demanding to know why he was being rung, and refused to give the location of his publication. He also asked for an email copy of the press release sent by New Plymouth's Neighbourhood Support, and the name of the business from which his phone number had been obtained. When asked to respond to whether his publication was a con job, he hung up. Mrs Gut said previously a person using the Safer Neighbourhoods name and calling himself "Martin" had contacted businesses in Wellington, Manukau City, and perhaps Napier. She said they were seeking further information from the public on this person. "If you have been contacted, we would be interested in hearing from you regarding any further information you can provide on him – eg name, contact phone number, sales pitch." Contact Neighbourhood Support on 06 753 2495, or the New Plymouth police. |
