How to spot a scam or fraud - Electronics

Warning! Electronic goods and mobile phone scams

Update - a new scam using our company address and the name of one of the Directors - trading as Alastair Campbell Ltd has been uncovered. For more information please visit:

http://www.ukdata.com/alastair-campbell-ltd.php

We receive calls and emails on a daily basis about companies offering cheap mobile phones and electrical goods who claim to be registered by UK Data Ltd. This is not true, UK Data simply lists the company registration information filed at Companies House for all UK and Irish limited businesses.

If you have been asked to send payment for goods to an individual via Western Union be cautious, it is possible for someone to claim that they own or work for a legitimate company listed on our website, without the company being aware. Ensure that any payments are made to the company i.e. "Company Name Ltd" not an individual i.e. "John Smith".

I am a victim what can i do?

If you believe that you have become a victim of an offence involving any such company, you should report this to your local Police. If you contact UK Data Ltd, please be aware that although we appreciate the information being brought to our attention, the matter is out of our hands.

The SCD6 Economic and Specialist Crime OCU collate details of current scams and frauds in order to provide crime prevention advice to the public and industry. They will not respond to individual situations, unless further information or clarification is required, due to the volume of traffic received. However, should you wish to pass on scam or fraud information please use the following address:

Overview of a company highjack

The companies themselves are not the scammers. They are picked by the scammers because they have suitable names to the product being 'sold'. The scammer then pretends to be from that company without any relationship to the company whatsoever. They then quote our website as we list all registered UK companies.

Their point in referencing our website is to convince potential victims that the company is valid. Which it is of course, they are pretending to be the company.

But for whatever reason, some of the intended victims DO NOT check that they are actually in communication with a genuine representative of the company in question.

Please bear in mind that the company at this point is also a victim. Making accusations against a company being defrauded in this way could potentially backfire on you.

Help prevent fraud: Please visit our forum and help prevent others from being scammed!

Making a complaint: If you've been scammed click here for organisations who may be able to help.

Tips on recognising a scam: Visit our blog for advice on how to spot a scam.