News
Another scam warning from police
Victoria Rhodes 19/11/2009 15:47:00
THE latest warning comes after a local caterer received a telephone call from an individual inviting them to advertise their business in an Orkney Police Force Directory, for a fee.
Dave Dawson, Orkney community safety officer, reiterated that Northern Constabulary does not publish a force directory nor anything that pertains to individual districts within the force area.
He said: "Whilst it would appear that, in this instance, the motive was criminal fraud, it should be pointed out that there are some so-called publishers that produce annual 'crime prevention directories' and who invite businesses to advertise therein. However, whilst 'legal', their circulation is extremely limited (for example, Orkney businesses advertised in a directory that may only available in, for example, Brighton). In fact, whilst I have seen such directories, I've never encountered one on sale in Orkney.
"Anybody who does express interest in advertising their services run
the risk of being invoiced or receiving threatening letters from debt
collection agencies asking for payment."
To reduce the risk becoming a victim of publishing fraud:
• Find out exactly who the organisation is and if they are genuine.
• Know the details of any publication, for example, who it is aimed at,
where exactly is it distributed, how many people it will be distributed
to.
• Make some basic checks yourself - contact Orkney Islands Council Trading Standards Dept.
• Do not pay for any unsolicited goods or services.
• Alert any staff to these types of scams.
• If you have become the victim of a fraud contact the Police and Trading Standards Dept.
Above all, trust your instincts. If the offer seems too good to be true then be assured - it usually is!