Caxton Newspapers, the Record‘s mother company, has received an unfortunate report of a female posing as one of its West Rand sales representatives.
This afternoon (27 October) one of the sales representatives of Caxton Newspapers’ Get it magazine, received a call from one of her loyal customers trading in Clearwater Mall. The client said a female entered his shop and introduced herself as ‘Michelle’, saying she sells advertising space for Get it and a (fictional)) publication called West Rand Advertiser. She offered the man 50 per cent discount. Having recently seen his usual representative he immediately became suspicious. It was clear though that she knew the rates the company charges. He asked her if he quickly could make a call and called his sales representative. She confirmed that there was no one by that name acting on behalf of Get it West Rand. Meanwhile the woman realised he had caught on to her. Pretending to be talking on her cellphone, she walked out of the shop.
The invoice book she used is the type one can buy at any stationery supplier or supermarket. The invoice book Caxton representatives use are specifically printed for them in an A4 size and on pink paper. She wrote in the VAT number, however Caxton prints its VAT numbers on the invoices. From the type of handwritten information she entered on her invoice though, it is clear she is familiar with the company’s workings and could be a former employee.
The female imposter has short brown hair, cut in a curly bob style.
Businesses are urged to contact Caxton’s West Rand offices on 011 955 1130 and ask for Sales Manager Debbie Pienaar if they are unsure or suspicious of persons claiming to be representing the company or if someone other than their usual representative comes to their business.
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