Local
businesses have been warned of a fake bailiff scam. Police have been warning
businesses that conmen are contacting companies requesting payment for
non-existent debt.
The
conmen are targeting small to medium sized businesses primarily, often after
finding their contact details in online business directories. They then phone
them and try to extract cash from them by claiming that they are behind with
certain fees.
Businesses Targeted
A
range of businesses have so far been targeted, including nurseries,
manufacturers, taxi services and hotels, however all business types are at risk
from the scam.
Police
have found that the fake bailiffs seem to be targeting those businesses with
slightly more mature and elderly directors, who are traditionally seen as the
victims of such scams.
Cold Calls
Businesses
are finding themselves at the mercy of cold calls from these fake bailiffs.
They are purporting to be bailiffs working on behalf of the court, attempting
to recover debts which don’t exist.
The
targeted companies are then requested to make payment by means of a bank
transfer, and, if the contact that the conmen are dealing with refuses, the
fake bailiffs threaten to visit the premises in order to recover the debt that
they claim is owed to them.
Dealing with the Conmen
The
advice from the police, Trading Standards and the accounts managers at the
business directories for dealing with the conmen is to ask for details of the
debt collection agency, and if you are at all suspicious, hang up the phone. Do
not under any circumstances agree to transfer money or give your bank details.
Once
you have hung up the phone, report them to Trading Standards who can
investigate.
