Trading Standards warn businesses about fax back scam.

[Kintyre Forum News]

BUSINESS FAX BACK SCAM

Argyll and Bute Council Trading Standards Service has received several complaints from local businesses about a fax scam involving the use of a telephone number, which generates income for the company receiving the fax.

The scam was brought to light when an Oban trader received an unsolicited fax with the heading "THE FAX BACK DIRECTORY". The text on the fax explains that it is from an organisation that has obtained your business's fax number from Auction Adverts, NY and that your fax number will be listed on their database and you will be sent all their advertisements. However, it then goes on to say that if you do not wish to receive all the advertisements you must complete a declaration on the fax to that effect and fax it back to 'The Fax Back Directory' on the number 07005 100500. Furthermore, it reinforces the invitation to return the fax by stating that if the fax is not returned adverts will be sent to your fax number from January 2006.

Trading Standards enquiries with the Office of Communications (OFCOM) who regulate the use of this type of number have shown that the use of the fax number 07005 100500 for returning the fax generates income for The Fax Back Directory over and above the normal rate. The line can also be slowed down so that returning the one page fax may take several minutes, possibly even up to 30 minutes, as opposed to the expected few seconds, thereby further increasing costs for the responding businesses.

OFCOM have requested that any businesses receiving such a fax should contact them on 0207 9813040.

A spokesperson for Argyll and Bute Council said, "This is another money making scam aimed at businesses, taking advantage of the fact that not many businesses will know that a telephone number with the prefix 070 will generate income for the company receiving the fax and that the charges are above the normal national rate.

“I would advise any businesses receiving such a fax to take no action other than to contact OFCOM on 0207 9813040 or contact the Trading Standards Service via Consumer Direct on 08454 040506 and they will forward the details to OFCOM."