TalkTalk launches oddball cashback campaign involving ex-pickpockets

Not content with launching an introductory offer, throwing in a laptop or challenging the likes of T-Mobile in a viral-off, TalkTalk has announced the introduction of a street-bound promotion set up to raise awareness of its products and price points.

It's called on the services of 20 ex-pickpockets to walk around London and place money inside unsuspecting passer-by's pockets in order to “highlight that [they] really do give people the best value – literally money back in your pocket”.

You can see a video of a couple of the commissioned pickpockets at work below, although the remaining eighteen will remain a secret.

At first, this promotion is taking place in London at Leicester Square, Oxford Circus, Covent Garden, Westminster, Trafalgar Square and The South Bank as well as the tube network. This will continue until the end of August when it will then be rolled out to other UK cities.

Although the Metropolitan Police have been informed of this campaign, at first glance seems this rather bizarre attempt at attracting unsuspecting members of the public is being met with a mixed reception, especially from those who have, in the past, been a victim of pickpocketing.

Explaining the reason behind the campaign, Mark Schmid, communications director of TalkTalk, said: “With so many scams out there, Britons have become very sceptical of companies giving money away – so we have turned to Put-Pocketing to give something back. While unconventional, we don't think anyone is going to mind finding crisp £20 in the pocket courtesy of the activity.”

What do you think? Do you think the lastest TalkTalk promotion is taking things a step too far? Leave your comments below.