Having the same problem from Amalgamated Media Ph: 1300 302 683. They say we agreed to advertising in an Occupational Health and Safety Journal and sent an invoice for $544.50. No-one knows anything about it. Scam
They are threatening legal action now!
Anyone had the same problem?

Just received The Volunteer Rescue Magazine edition 5, neither my husband or l have given permission to do any advertising in this, the advert is not even good quality, looks as though it is a copy of somewhere else. Came with invoice that states THIS IS A SOLICITATION NOT AN INVOICE FOR A DEBT INCURRED BY YOU, postal address was incorrect and no senders address written on the back. Glad l found this site to confirm it as a fraud, we are over people trying to con us into these things.

Hi, I have got the same volunteer rescue magazine. (they actually made a fake magazine and send me a copy) - as I stated that I don't remember accepting to do an ad. I felt it was not right. I too checked the website - nothing. I can across these scam watch comments instead. I have done a few advertising with other magazines and always have to send artwork and approve. plus I never pay until I receive the magazine to see the ad. the last phone call was 0423 908 677. they are very rushed on the phone.

Called and called again to get a payment for an add I NEVER agreed to or proofed each time tougher and nastier ...these people need to investigated and jailed for fraud and harassment ........it is tough enough to get ahead in business without these sort of scam artists constantly tying your phone lines

This happened to me today, exactly the same thing! I was furious when I realised what was going on!

I always thought I was a bit savvy and yet I got scammed by these lot...... I couldn't recall agreeing to anything but then they sent me out a health and safety magazine after I requested so I could see what I was paying for.......And as if once wasn't enough while going through my visa bill there was more amounts deducted before I had chance to cancel the card...... Very convincing bunch of con artists

Had a call from Shelley Marshall,Amalgamated Media, Finance Department wanting to speak with my boss saying he was expecting her call regarding Occupational Health & Safety and that they are in going conversations. I put the call thru but fortunately my boss was wise enough to ask for more details when she pushed him for his credit card number. Her email is itsproductiontime @ yahoo.com.au telephone 1300 302 683. THIS IS A SCAM. WE HAVE NEVER ADVERTISED. WE WILL NEVER ADVERTISE IN A JOURNAL THAT IS FAKE. BEWARE!!!

The invoice was made out under the name of Vosc Media Pty Ltd ABN: 37 101 600 122 (I checked it out and this business does exist, but I believe it is a Video Production Company… Yes a media company, but DOESN'T claim to be a Print Media business (magazines and publications) to the best of my knowledge. I'm unsure to what capacity this business plays part, IF ANY in this scam. BUT IT IS OBVIOUS THE PERPETRATORS are using the business name and details to WORK THIS SCAM.

Just fixed two typos ABN (After Vosc Media Pty Ltd) was coming up like a phone number and … but, doesn't claim to be a Print Media…

Same old story, but I got wise to it before it ended up costing me.

This time they paraded themselves as another media company selling advertising space in a publication called Volunteer Rescue Magazine. Even though I initially gave them credit card details, I got suss when I called back on the 'mobile' number and it went to a mailbox which was apparently full. 'Tracey' called me back, and when she realised I was questioning the legitimacy of my 'so called agreement' back in January, the call suddenly was disconnected. I tried calling her back several times unsuccessfully… Funny enough when I was trying to dig out contact details for my bank, she called me back. Perhaps she was thinking about what to say to her 'mark' who was starting to suspect the scam. I asked if she could provide a recording of 'said' phone call or perhaps documentation or an email signature to confirm her story. I suggested perhaps it was an eager telemarketer who ticked the wrong box. Also I said, "If the magazine is already printed, how come I wasn't asked for artwork to be supplied, or even sent a proof to which I could sign off on". She said she'd send a proof of the advert with the tax invoice via email. The tax invoice was a 'Solicitation Not an Invoice', of which I'm sure they'd tried pass off as a legally binding document if I had agreed to it. Also there was no artwork proof supplied. Below is my response to the email…


Hi Tracey,

I do not see why I should pay this account as per the following…

1. I don't remember agreeing to advertise with any other publication other than the AiPol magazine late in 2013
2. I do remember receiving phone calls from a couple of other so called ‘industry’ magazines early this year, asking if I’d like to advertise with them. My response was NO as I’d just committed to the AiPol magazine
3. You can not provide a record of me agreeing to advertise with you, be it a signed document or recorded phone call
4. If said magazine is actually printed now with my advert in it. (a) Why have I not seen a proof of the advert, or (b) why have I not been asked to supply artwork or supplied with specifications to do so
5. The so called order number on the ‘Solicitation Not an Invoice’ as you provided me. Has not been supplied by myself!! I do not supply order numbers unless specifically asked to do so.
6. I believe it deceptive to say that I agreed to this in January and then prompt me to pay conveniently on the last day of the financial year so I can claim it on my 2014 tax return.
7. The fact you also contacted me from a mobile phone is also very suspect, especially when I tried to contact you back and heard a message saying that your voicemail/inbox was full. When I did actually get through to you, the call amazingly got disconnected. Yes you called back, but probably after you had time to collect your thoughts about what your response was going to be.
8. I have done a bit of research and there seems to be quite some information about organisations such as yours misleading businesses into believing they’ve committed/agreed to advertise with a specific magazine when they actually haven’t.

Finally, I have cancelled the credit card, of which details I regretfully gave to you. As annoying and inconvenient this is… I am happy that I have caught you out in this scam and shameful act before I had incurred any financial loss.

Have a nice day ;)

Finally I'm presenting their contact details to the best of my knowledge…

KEEP IN MIND THAT I'M NAMING THE BUSINESS/ENTITY THAT THE 'INVOICE' APPARENTLY WAS GENERATED UNDER. THIS BUSINESS MAY NOT BE INVOLVED AND EVEN MAY BE UNAWARE, THAT A SCAM IS BEING COMMITTED UNDER THEIR TRADING NAME.

NOTE: I've reported this to the ACCC SCAMWATCH and have supplied details including the INVOICE with the above business's details clearly listed.

The invoice was made out under the name of Vosc Media Pty Ltd ABN: 37 101 600 122 (I checked it out and this business does exist, but I believe it is a Video Production Company… Yes a media company, but does claim to be a Print Media business (magazines and publications) to the best of my knowledge. I'm unsure to what capacity this business plays part, IF ANY in this scam. BUT IT IS OBVIOUS THE PERPETRATORS are using the business name and details to WORK THIS SCAM.

Initial contacted by mobile number 0428 764 860 by Tracey (On the Solicitation not an Invoice - her full name appeared as Tracey Hunter Phone/Fax 1800 05 6000). Other contact details also listed was a PO Box 501 Helensvale QLD 4212 as well as an email address accounts @ vrmagazine.com.au. Also note I cannot find an activate website with the domain name vrmagazine.com.au

The name of the other person involved (who sent the invoice and a reminder to take advantage of the 10% discount if I pay before Friday) was Tanya Mullins.

Not about that number but here is a new number to look out for 1800 634 624, got a phone call from a lady stating that I had put an order in 6 months earlier and that the publication was ready and so was my tax invoice, also was told if I paid today I would save $110.00 dollars the fax was from Workplace Publications p.o. box 274 south yarra. Beware

Had a very persistent caller 'Lisa Bliss' for our CEO who she reckons spoke to their marketing manager 'Mary Carter' in Oct 13 re: advertising in the 'OH&S' Journal (now known as 'WHS') and wanted to send the invoice, so I eventually got her to send it to me...sure enough it was what I expected a SCAM! When I rang 1800 634 624 I got a 'hello' no company name mentioned. Haven't heard from them since!

I also

Received a call today. Same thing as everyone else has said. They said it was for some sort of accident and emergency service magazine. She said her name was Tina, and I then received a call from a private number telling me it was $450 and that if I paid today by credit card it would be reduced to $400. Complete joke, the lady sounded like an Islander or New Zealander if that rings a bell for anyone. Don't be fooled!

Contacted by Susan Burke claiming to be from Health and Safety in the Workplace <adsprod @ bigpond.net.au>. It played out exactly as its written above. It didn't feel right so I started hunting around and I`m glad I did. So lucky I came across these comments.

Hi all!! I got scammed recently and paid $395 for a advertisment in a magazine called Workforce i paid and said to the girl "i didnt sign up for this" but was told that she did the booking with me approx 3months earlier.Today i received another phone call from another magazine advertisement that i supposedly signed up for 3months also they just about had me again when i hung up and they called back,the number they called back on was the same mobile number as the previous magazine and when i queried this and said that im going to see my solicitor they hung up. The Name of the Business in the magazines small print is Hgiel Limited ARBN 140066404 and trade out of Currumbin QLD. They claim to be from Workforce , Police ,Ambulance and Emergency Services , etc The mobile numbers that they rang me on were 0415 054 913 and 0450 255 259 try to ring these numbers and you only get messagebank and no return phonecalls!!! Dont fall for it no matter how much they gang up trying to make the sale!

I got taken as well ,the first one is called amalgamated trades review. I was called again by a guy who sounded to me like the same person and said my ad for industry press was coming out and he needed payment like i had agreed,at the time i didn't remember i had already paid and payed again. I remembered some time later and tried to call them, you guessed it no reply. i have just called visa to stop the payment, i hope i am in time as i am only a small business and cant afford it.

They are annoying I wish they would leave me alone I get about 10 phone calls a week and I am over it. I try to make a living and these scammers rip you off the phone and fax numbers I have ph:1300 038 708 And fax :1300 036 305 they are scum

A company called Emergency Volunteer News, phone number 1300 037 052 sent a fax and have rang continually to get us to pay $638.00 for an 'ad'. Says it is a publication from Reverse Media Pty Ltd, ABN 53132370560. A search brought up this website so THANK YOU !

Got caught too ... then I recd 3 other phone calls from Ashleigh, Megan Jones and Mandy ... they are so convincing ... fictitious dates as to when they previously contacted you (leaves doubt in your mind as to whether or not they had in fact made contact), very personable on the phone,"I'll just email it to you for your approval...". I agreed first time and recd daily phone calls seeking payment then faxes. I reached the point where I told them that I did not advertise and saw no need for what they were offering ... they agreed to take me off their database ... watch this space!

An email was received from "safety in Industry" with our advertisement on the front page of the occupation health and safety guide claiming they had spoken to our manager in september and approved the proof sent through, that the company were on the front page of this booklet for 687.50, if we paid NOW on credit card we would get 20% off. My manager could not remember approving this and so i refused to pay for this advertisement to which Heidi became irate saying she had 100k of books going out we could not refuse because they are already printed, and we needed to sign and authorise this first or its illegal for them to distribute the books... Heidi would not provide any authorised documents. and so i refused to make payment. The advertisement was an exact copy of the front page of the company website. She has since called and I let her know her company was a scam, and she said well i will send you a copy of a booklet, to which i replied i thought it was illegal to distrubte them without us approving our advertisement on these already printed books?? she hung up. Very curious to see if she will call again