SOUTH Yorkshire Fire and Rescue are warning Barnsley residents of a scam which they should avoid.
Local businesses are being warned of the scam, which sees a rogue publisher offering advertising space in a publication they claim they are producing on behalf of the fire service.
Fire bosses confirmed this is not the case and is a scam.
A spokesperson added: “The rogue publishers make unsolicited telephone calls to businesses, in paticular small businesses, shops, doctors’ surgeries and dental practices offering advertising space in a magazine they claim is linked to the fire service.
“The cost of the ‘advert’ can range from £50 to anything up to £1000.
“However, once you have paid you’ll find the publication either doesn’t exist or only a handful of copies are printed.
“Generally, if the call is bogus, the caller will only provide a PO box address and the phone number will be blocked.”
