WEST Devon businesses are being urged to ignore a letter scam from firms claiming to regulate health and safety legislation for a fee.
The warning comes from West Devon Borough Council?s environmental health team who were alerted to the scam by Cornwall trading standards officials.
Three northwest based firms are defrauding businesses by asking for a fee to register their compliance with health and safety law ? although there is no legal need.
Cornwall trading standards say that some businesses in the county have been targeted and a further letter has come to light in Devon.
All the firms use wording suggesting they are official enforcement bodies but they are not connected to the Health and Safety Executive.
A Liverpool firm calling itself the Health and Safety Enforcement Agency (HSEA) demands £125 for a health and safety compliance pack.
The Manchester-based Health and Safety Compliance Agency (HSCA) says a health and safety compliance register would become law on May 1 and that all businesses should apply for registration, for a fee of £129.25.
A third company, the Health and Safety Registration Enforcement Division (HSRED), which gives a Rochdale address, tells recipients to pay up to £249 for health and safety registration.
Nick Payne, West Devon Borough Council?s director for the environment, said: ?In West Devon the vast majority of businesses are very small operations and could potentially be easily taken in by these scams.
?I am therefore most anxious that all West Devon businesses are made aware of this to assist them in avoiding becoming a victim of this cynical fraud.?
The Office of Fair Trading has asked businesses which have already parted with their money to ring 0207 211 5810 with a view to gathering evidence for a prosecution.
Alternatively you can ring the Health and Safety Executive on 08701 545 500.