Kent Trading Standards business scams

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Scams aimed at businesses

Here are details of some of the scams reported to us by Kent businesses. Look out for these and similar schemes aimed at parting you from your money. If you have been the victim of any of these, or similar scams, please report it to the Consumer Direct Team on 08454 040506. They will also be able to give you advice if you need it.

Cold calling scams

Bogus officials

Reports have been received of a caller claiming to be from the "spirit audit team" attempting to carry out an audit at a business selling spirits. He had no identification or any supporting paperwork. Always ask for identification from anyone claiming to be on official business and report such approaches to us via Consumer Direct on 0845 040506.

White line painting

Businesses, sports clubs and schools are being targeted by traders touting for work painting white lines for outdoor sports courts and parking bays. The scammers normally approach the caretaker or cleaners and persuade them to have the work carried out. One particular trader was reported to be charging £2 per linear foot, but only agrees the price after the work has been carried out. Demands for thousands of pounds are then made, with the trader becoming intimindating if payment isn't made. Based on this rate of £2, a standard netball court could cost up to £1,000 compared to the going rate of around £200 through approved contractors recommended by a Local Authority.

Email scams

Bogus bookings

A Kent trader who runs a wedding venue reported he had received an email from an alleged customer in USA who wanted to make a booking. They said they would send funds and asked that the balance be sent on to a third party. The trader was suspicious and did not take the booking. Any email that requires you to return money or to send it on to a third party is likely to be a phishing exercise. if you send money in response to such requests you are unlikely to see it again. Ring Consumer Direct for advice on 08454 04 05 06.

Purchasing overpayment scam

A Kent business reported an email approach from a person claiming to be an agent for a client looking to purchase some expensive catering equipment. The agent asked for a quote for some specific items and agreeing to purchase asked for details of a bank account to receive the money. The agent subsequently contacted the Kent company asking for an "overpayment of £90,000 made in error" to be refunded. Checks by the company revealed this appears to be a scam to obtain money by deception as no money had been received from the client. The incident was reported to the police.

Mail scams

Advertising feature unsolicited mailing

Unsolicited mailings in the form of an advertising feature cut from a magazine are sent to businesses. A post it sticker with the recipient's first name, suggesting it was sent by someone known to them, is attached to the cutting stating it is brilliant and inviting them to call a freephone number. Callers ringing the freephone number go straight through to a Continental/American type dialling tone and answered by an advisor with an American accent. The advert implies Government grants are available but callers are told that an information pack is available at a cost of £250.

Be very wary of unsolicited mail and report similar incidents to us via Consumer Direct on 0845 040506.

Anti money laundering

This scam involves a letter telling businesses that they should train their staff in new anti money-laundering regulations and that employees must pay £75 to register on a training course. This scam relies on the fact that law-abiding businesses will be inclined to send money in order to comply with what they are told is the law. Talk to a solicitor about your legal obligations, and report suspicious correspondence to Trading Standards.

Business Directories

These are another variation of the publishing scam. Many businesses receive official looking 'invoices' for entries from trade directory and database companies despite there being no contact with the company, and the scam relies on businesses not noticing that they do not have to pay the invoice. If you do not have a verbal or written contract with the company, do not be intimidated into paying the invoice by letters threatening court action and warn your staff about this type of scam.

Data Protection Agencies Scam

Businesses are being targeted by fake data protection 'agencies' posing as official government bodies. Letters are sent requesting sums of up to £135 to notify under the Data Protection Act, often using threatening language and on official-looking headed notepaper.

The statutory fee for notification is just £35 a year. Organisations and businesses that need to notify should go directly to the ICO.

It is a legal requirement that every organisation processing personal information must notify the information Commissioner's Office (ICO), unless they are exempt. Failure to notify is a criminal offence.

To check if you need to register please check the ICO website
or telephone 08456 30 60 60.

If you need advice please call Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06.

Health & Safety

Businesses have been receiving letters headed "final notice" stating they must purchase a health and safety law poster and accident book immediately or face prosecution. While businesses do have to display a poster and keep an accident book they can purchase these direct from the Health and Safety Executive for around £15 not the greatly inflalted prices demanded in the letter.

Phone scams

Bogus police representatives

One local business was called by someone claiming to represent Kent Police. The caller said they were intending to arrange a meeting in the area but to do so they needed money to arrange a venue. When challenged about the request to provide money the caller hung up.

Always be careful when approached with requests for money or for advertising in charity magazines. Always ensure that you know what you are providing funds for and that the arrangement is legitimate before parting with any money or personal information. Please report similar incidents to Trading Standards via Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06.

Unsolicited telesales - publishing scams

We receive many complaints about unsolicited telesales calls, often targeting community groups or public or voluntary organisations with offers for advertising or sponsorship. The callers may claim to be supporting charities or say that they provide their services to respected services such as the Fire Brigade" or a "Police Magazine.

Our advice is to never agree to anything on the phone. These callers may later claim a verbal contract. Any legitimate company will be happy to explain all their "offers" or provide details of their phone number and address and website details for you to check or tell you how to get independent verification of their circulation etc. Sign nothing until you've reviewed the contract in detail.

Publishing companies target good trader schemes

We are warning all members of our Buy with Confidence approved trader scheme and members of other approved schemes that there are various publishing houses, often based in the North East, contacting small businesses by telephone. They give the misleading impression they are working in association with the scheme and that they are selling advertising in a magazine produced in association with the emergency services.

Please do not engage with any of these cold - callers, and do not give them your card details. We do not support any such publishing activity and any claims about any association with Buy With Confidence or the emergency services should be reported to us as suspicious.