BUSINESSES are being warned to be cautious of phone calls from people claiming to be from the police's crime prevention department and asking for money.
A call was made to a Kidderminster pub on Monday by a man asking for £200 for an advert in a police yearbook.
A police spokesman said: "Police crime prevention departments would not ask for money in this way.
The caller said the previous manager had advertised and asked for permission to renew the advert, but the employee said he needed to check with head office.
A different person then rang, claiming to be from a printing company, and tried to rush the pub into agreeing to the transaction.
Both calls follow a similar incident last month when a Kidderminster garage was contacted by someone claiming to represent the police.
He said the company had taken out advertising space in a police year book and demanded £180. Again no money was handed over.
A police spokesman said: "Companies should be aware that police crime prevention departments would not ask for money in this way.
"If anyone does receive a call from someone claiming to be from the police and they are suspicious they should take a contact name and ring back on the switchboard number - 08457 444888 - to check their identity."
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