Jan 27, 2010 0
Fake Bailiffs Tricking Hire Purchase Customers
Conmen posing as bailiffs, have reportedly been calling hire purchase customers of at least one major furniture and appliance chain store here in Jamaica, threatening customers to make their hire purchase payments, or suffer repossession of their goods. It is not fully clear though, whether any of the customers had actually paid over any money to the fake bailiffs or what sums the conmen have been requesting.
Sources indicate that the fact that the unscrupulous callers had the names and numbers of actual customers, everything points to an inside job (a store employee divulging the information).
Since becoming aware of the scam, one chain has reportedly placed radio advisories cautioning the public about the fake bailiffs. They’ve also sought to advise the public that bailiffs and collectors must present proper identification when they visit customers, and should issue a valid receipt to customers whenever cash is collected.