PrintWeek has learnt that several companies have been approached by potential conmen seeking to prey on printers who are feeling the pinch as the economic climate worsens.

Paul Lowe, managing director at Bloomfield Printers in Warwickshire, said that he was approached by a company wanting to send print abroad that requested he use its own transport agency, which charges the printer to deliver.

Lowe was told that payment to the transport company had to be cleared before they would deliver the work.

He told PrintWeek: "Because of the current financial climate, companies might look a little bit closer than they would if they had a bucket full of work on.

"I have seen things in the past, but this is the first time I have ever seen something specifically targeting print companies.

"Printers need to be aware that these people are about. They could be a bit more casual in their checking at the moment, quick to take on a job, so it is a case of being alert."

Meanwhile, at IPH Litho (Coventry) the company was approached by a 'salesman' who promised he could bring in £60,000 worth of work in six months, or he would return any monies he had taken.

After several meetings with the 'rep', who claimed he had been let go when his London-based employer had moved to New Zealand, the company agreed to bring him on board, and gave him a £650 advance on expenses to "get him going". The company has not seen him since.

Mike Jennings-Bates, chairman at IPH Litho (Coventry), said: "He quoted some high-flying accounts to us.

"Seeing a carrot like that is not easy to dismiss. Printers are dying like flies and everyone needs sales – I think anyone would at least give it a bit of thought."

He added: "He said the right words, I am 57 and have never been conned, I have now. I would advise any printers out there to be very stringent if they are approached. If it seems to good to be true, it probably is."