7 January 2009
Scam warning over fake fines
Bridgend County Borough Council’s Trading Standards department is warning local food businesses to be wary of a scam involving fake ‘penalty charges’.
Hoaxers are sending food businesses in south Wales a letter which is purporting to come from the Food Standards Agency. The letter informs the business that they have breached food and safety legislation and that a ‘penalty charge’ of £1,000 is now due.
With businesses based in the Neath Port Talbot area already reporting that they have received the fake letters, council officers are concerned that Bridgend County Borough businesses could be the next to be targeted by the scam.
Says Lee Jones, Head of Trading Standards: “Businesses should be aware that the Food Standards Agency does not have the power to issue penalty notices to local traders and that these letters are fake.
“The Food Standards Agency is currently liaising with the South Wales Police in an effort to determine who is behind this fraud.”
Local businesses that have received one of these letters should contact Bridgend Trading Standards on 01656 643643.
- Last Updated: 07/01/2009
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