Scams
and rip-offs
HMRC WARNING ON SPOOFS, SCAMS & PHISHING
HM Revenue & Customs has warned that spoof emails are circulating using HMRC's name (or Inland Revenue). These look like they are from HMRC or IR, and contain a link to a website which looks legitimate and asks for personal details such as bank account. HMRC asks that all such emails be forwarded to phishing@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk
Further information is on the HMRC website
HEALTH
& SAFETY SCAMS
The
Health & Safety Executive (HSE) warns that employers should ignore
requests from companies asking for a fee to ensure compliance with
health and safety law.
The
HSE specifically identifies the following organisations, but there
may be others operating in similar ways:
1.
An organisation called "Health and Safety Registration Enforcement
Division" is sending out requests for payment "in order
to achieve compliance with the law". The requests are sent from
a Bradford address and quote £199 for registration if 'compliant'
or £249 if 'non-complaint'. The HSE is asking anyone receiving
such a letter to report it to their local HSE office, the HSE infoline
on 08701-545500, or West Yorkshire police on 01924 292599.
2.
An organisation calling itself "Health and Safety Enforcement
Agency" has been sending out letters demanding £125 for
a "health and safety compliance pack".
3.
An organisation called"Health and Safety Compliance Agency"
has been saying (totally wrongly) that a health and safety compliance
register will shortly become law and that all businesses should send
£129.95 for registration.
These
organisations have nothing to do with the HSE and are misrepresenting
H&S law.
The
HSE has asked organisations receiving information from these companies
to report it to the HSE Infoline on 08701-545500 or the local HSE
office. More information is on the HSE
website
FIRE
INSPECTION SCAM
Watch
out for commercial firms offering to provide fire risk assessment
services; some such companies are using risk assessment services as
a way to promote, often unnecessary, sales of fire protection equipment
and services. If in doubt check with your local Fire & Rescue
Service.
DATA
PROTECTION SCAMS
A
number of bogus agencies are operating across the UK demanding money
to register organisations under the Data Protection Act (DPA). The
statutory fee for notification under the DPA is £35.00; these
bogus agencies typically demand more than this, usually using official-looking
headed paper, sometimes with wording that appears threatening. Click
here
for more information about bogus organisations.
Practices
should in any event have already notified under the DPA, and any such
approaches from these agencies should be ignored. Any Practice which
has not already notified under the DPA should do so by visiting the
Information Commissioner's
website at or by phoning 01625 545 740.
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won't open?
