RSGB gives Hoax call warning.

[kc]

Radio amateurs in the UK should beware hoax calls from people claiming that their houses need to undergo fire and electrical checks. An amateur was recently rung up by a person purporting to be from a security company.
The caller said that the Home Office had changed the licensing regulations and as a result all radio amateurs+? houses must now undergo fire and electrical inspections. The amateur was also told that if his house did not come up to scratch, he would have to have the electrics rewired and buy fire prevention equipment such as fire blankets and extinguishers. None of this is true. Amateurs do not have to have their properties checked. This is a scam aimed at conning amateurs into having expensive inspections of their properties, and paying for unnecessary rewiring and fire equipment. The caller can be quite convincing. He might know your name and callsign, having taken it from the RSGB year book. He might also insist that the RSGB, Ofcom and the police are aware of and support the need for property inspections. Again, this is not true.
If you receive such a call, please contact your local police station.

http://www.rsgb.org/

[o_blackburn]

thanks very much - i'll certainly bare it in mind, and warn the radio hams at my clubs.

[Transmission1]

Hi KC

Do you think this is worth posting as an article on the front of the website to alert our readers as not all of them check the forums in detail?

Cheers
Simon

[kc]

I'm not sure how much of a problem this is. It would seem. Looking at the RSGB site. That this activity is being seen as a result of info held in places like the RSGB year book, QRZ etc.
And it's certainly a genuine news item related to GB licenced radio amateurs & could be given as such.

[Transmission1]

Ok, I've added it as a new article on the front of the site just in case anyone didn't see it first time around. Most unusual!