The Farmers' Union of Wales today issued a warning to farmers to beware of persistent telephone calls urging them to give details of their bank accounts to make advance payments for advertising space in magazines or newspapers to be published at a later date.
"We have received a number of complaints from FUW members in recent weeks of unsolicited telephone calls - in one case 11 calls from the same source - requesting payment card details for placing an advertisement," said an FUW spokesman today.
"Anyone receiving such calls should not give any personal information such as their name, address, bank details, email or phone number to organisations or people before verifying their credentials.
"You should at all times be extremely wary of phone calls, post or emails offering business deals out of the blue. If an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is. Always question it.
"If you suspect you are a victim of such tactics call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 to discuss your situation with one of their specialist advisers."