22 March 2004 - Mail Scams Alert in West Lothian
Trading Standards officers in West Lothian are warning local businesses to be wary of fund-raising scams sweeping the area.
An organisation called Victoria Sponsorship, based in Liverpool, and the Health and Safety Enforcement Agency, which are trying to trick businesses with a mailing scam.
Officers say the Victoria Sponsorship is cold-calling businesses, asking if the firms would like to contribute to the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation. However, the company does not divulge its name until a letter along with the invoice is received. Furthermore, the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation confirmed last year that it ceased to use Victoria Sponsorship for fund-raising and intends to instigate court action against the firm.
Meanwhile, Health and Safety Enforcement Agency is asking businesses to pay £125 for a "compliance pack", to prevent prosecution under health and safety legislation.
Ed Machin, principal Trading Standards Officer said:
"The letter style and wording used suggests the Health and Safety Enforcement Agency is an official enforcement body, when this is not the case. Most of the material mentioned is available either free, or for a fraction of the cost. I would ask all businesses receiving this mailshot not to send money. If businesses want advice on health and safety, contact the Health and Safety Executive or West Lothian Council's environmental health service".
This story is from the West Lothian Herald & Post.
