DrugScope is warning small businesses and schools to be on their guard as a scam involving drug education materials continues to target community-minded individuals.
For some time DrugScope has been aware of companies operating under different and constantly changing names targeting small businesses across the UK, offering sponsorship of drug education materials to be used in local schools. A cold call will elicit a pro-forma invoice and possibly a copy of the materials that the business is invited to sponsor or advertise in. The resources are of poor quality, often contain inaccurate, misleading or plagiarised information and are grossly overpriced in order to maximise profits.
DrugScope is often cited as a resource in the materials, the organisation’s logo may appear on the cover or text lifted from the charity’s website may be cut and pasted into the booklets. Concerned individuals have called the charity to question the organisation’s involvement and in response DrugScope has contacted the Department for Trade and Industry and the Office of Fair Trading, and advised callers to do the same. Some of the fraudulent companies have been successfully shut down in the past, but simply re-open again and trade under a different name.
DrugScope does not solicit donations or sponsorship from small businesses for drug education work. If a proposal seems suspicious, businesses can contact DrugScope to discuss their concerns, or contact the DTI’s Companies Investigation Branch, the Office for Fair Trading or their local trading standards authority.
Under no circumstances should you give your bank details over the phone or in writing to the originators of this scam.For more information please contact Ruth Goldsmith in the DrugScope Press Office on 020 7940 7517 (07736 895563 out of hours) or at press@drugscope.org.uk
