Hertfordshire County Council is warning businesses about a telephone cold caller claiming to be from Hertfordshire Fire Brigade.

It follows fresh reports from businesses that have been cold called by a man attempting to sell advertising space, claiming to be acting on behalf of the county council’s fire and rescue service.

The man was calling himself ‘Peter Griffiths’ when telephoning businesses last year, and is now also using the name ‘Peter Foster’. This approach is typical of a publication scam where the scammer claims to be from a public body or supporting ‘good causes’ in order to sell advertising space. A demand for payment often follows, sometimes even if no agreement has been made.

The county council’s fire and rescue service does not cold call businesses or authorise third party companies to do so on their behalf looking to sell advertising or sponsorship.

The council urged anyone who receives one of these calls not give or confirm any information about the business, hang up and report it to the council via 03454 040506.

Richard Thake, cabinet member for community safety, said: “This person certainly isn’t selling advertising on our behalf. We’re working hard to identify them and we’ll be taking action once we do. In the meantime I’d encourage anyone who does receive a call from this man to hang up immediately.”

Visit www.hertsdirect.org/scams for more information on scams and how to protect yourself.