A PHONE scammer posing as an advertising agency working on behalf of the police is trying to con small businesses out of £100.

He calls up claiming to be selling space at £100 a time in a magazine for the police, but they have not commissioned or supported a magazine which requires sponsors or advertisers.

They advise people never to agree to anything, check on-line whether the company exists, call the police on 101 to see if the caller really works for them and report anything suspicious.

Call ActionFraud on 0300-1232040 or Trading Standards on 03454-040506.