KENT Police are warning businesses in the county to beware of a company selling advertising space for a newsletter they claim to be producing for the emergency services.

A number of businesses have been contacted by phone to ask if they would like to place an advert in the newsletter which they say is being produced on behalf of the police, fire and ambulance services.

The caller asks for personal information and might use it as a way of getting bank account details and other data that could then be used fraudulently.

In the latest incident, a home-based business man in Hawkinge, near Folkestone, was called by a company claiming to be producing a magazine called ‘Be Safe’.

Kent Police are currently in no such venture with the fire and ambulance services and officers believe this is a scam.

If any local business is approached by a suspicious firm selling advertising space, they are asked to contact the police on 01622 690690 or the Consumer Direct hotline for advice on 08454 040506.