Businesses urged to beware disability scam

19th April 2006

Small businesses are being urged to beware a scam in which they may be asked to pay a ‘fee' to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act.

Employers' Forum on Disability (EFD) was approached by Telford engineering company Rowan Telmac Ltd when it received a request for £100 or face a financial penalty.

The company issuing the warning, known as the Expectorate, has since been found to be bogus. It is not known if any companies have paid up.

Bela Gor, head of legal policy at EFD, says: "We hope that most businesses will see this for the scam that it is.

"Obviously there is no such requirement under the DDA and businesses should always check with us or the Disability Rights Commission before responding to any such requests."

Ends

Notes to editors

Media enquiries, please contact:

Brenda Otema, Communications & Marketing Officer
Employers' Forum on Disability
Email: brenda.otema@efd.org.uk
Telephone: 020 7403 3020

About Employers' Forum on Disability

Employers' Forum on Disability is the employers' organisation focused on disability as it affects employers and service providers. With over 300 members, EFD represents organisations that employ around 20 per cent of the UK workforce.Since its establishment in 1991, EFD has worked closely with government and other stakeholders, sharing best practice to make it easier to employ disabled people and serve disabled customers.

www.efd.org.uk