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Scottish Government Farming Subsidies Scam Alert

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Alert: Scottish Government Farming Subsidies – Protect Yourself from the Scammers

This week the Scottish Government confirmed that more than 18,000 eligible producers will start receiving the final balance of their Common Agricultural Policy entitlement for 2017. This information is readily available and as a consequence you may be at greater risk from on-line or telephone scams.

Fraudsters are well equipped to trick you into giving up personal information or to make payments that you think are going to a trusted company. They will use several ways to convince you that you are dealing with a known company such as your bank or other trusted brand. The contact message or request for information can come through a website, online service, phone call or text message, posing as a company or brand you recognise.

Please take these simple steps to protect yourself and your business:

  • Don’t assume anyone who has sent you an email or text message – or has called your phone or left you a voicemail message – is who they say they are.
  • If a phone call or voicemail, email or text message asks you to make a payment, log in to an online account. Real banks never email you for passwords or any other sensitive information by clicking on a link and visiting a website. If you get a call from someone who claims to be from your bank, don't give away any personal details.
  • Make sure your spam filter is on your emails. If you find a suspicious email, mark it as spam and delete it to keep out similar emails in future.
  • If in doubt, check it’s genuine by asking the company itself. Never call numbers or follow links provided in suspicious emails; find the official website or customer support number using a separate browser and search engine.

Further information on business cyber security can be found at:

https://www.sbrcentre.co.uk/services/cyber-security-guide-for-small-businesses

If you have been a victim please contact Police on 101, Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 if you would prefer to remain anonymous.



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