Hackney Council and the police are asking local business owners to be aware of a scam involving buying advertising space.

It has been reported that two men approached a business in Shoreditch to ask the owners to buy advertising space in a map of Hackney. The men claimed that they worked for the council but they do not. When they were asked for ID, they fled the scene.

Cllr Alan Laing, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods said: “Please do not buy advertising space from anyone claiming to be from the council if they do not have proper identification. These men are clearly trying to operate a scam.”

Sergeant Brian Gordon of Haggerston Safer Neighbourhoods team, said: “Protecting staff, premises and profits from crime makes very good business sense. Businesses should always beware of suppliers or customers offering unrealistically low prices or high payments. Remember, if a deal looks too good to be true it probably is.”

Safer Neighbourhoods team officers will be visiting local businesses to warn them of this scam.

Scams should be reported to Trading Standards. Call the team on 020 8356 4929.