NOT VERY CHARITABLE

I wanted to alert readers and dealers especially to a recent scam at the Sense Book & Music Shop in Bishops Stortford. A guy turned up at the shop, having seen our advert in Record Collector. He told the staff that he was from a media company called “Tiger”, based at an address in Camden, London. He claimed he was making a film about “A young guy who owns a record shop and is having relationship problems,” which sounds uncannily like High Fidelity, sadly something none of the staff picked up upon. He said that he needed “actual collectable records and CDs” for the film shoot, and took stock to the value of £3,500. He had a cheque with him for £5,000, which he handed over and told staff to “keep the balance as a donation”. A supporting credit card was unfortunately accepted as a guarantee and, needless to say, the cheque bounced and the address given of the “media company” was found to be a disused building.

It can be said that the staff were extremely naïve, but in their defence, it must have seemed such a windfall giving the struggle they have to meet target. However, the main outcome is this was a mean and vicious scam played on a well-meaning charity. There is little that can be done now, but it really grates to have to accept that these soulless and immoral con-men should get away with this.

by Alec Alexander
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