Warden Notice 01/05 (7 February 2005)

Dear Warden,

The purpose of this email is just to alert you to a scam that has been brought to our attention and to warn you about drinking and driving in Kingdom.

SCAM LETTER

One of our colleagues recently received a letter purportedly from the Inland Revenue requesting him to provide some basic information to confirm his status as 'Not Ordinarily Resident'. On closer inspection, and despite the appearance of the IR logo, he became suspicious of the letter and referred the matter to us. We have since received confirmation from the UK that this was not an official communication from the IR.

It is possible that one or more people may be targeting expats in order to obtain details of their bank and residential address in the UK, perhaps with a view to stealing their identity. The advice from the relevant authorities is simple: if you are in any doubt about correspondence you receive, contact your tax office on the numbers you have for them and double check the authenticity of the documents before responding.

Message Ends.

DRINKING AND DRIVING

We would like to take this opportunity to remind you all that it is an offence in the Kingdom to drink and drive. There is zero tolerance for drinking and driving, and the penalties can be severe. Drivers must take into account what they have drunk the night before. If you are stopped for whatever reason and required to give a blood sample, it is possible that traces of alcohol may show up in the blood. It is also worth remembering that your insurance is likely to be invalidated, leaving you to pay claims by other parties involved. So, if in the slightest doubt, please take a taxi.

POPPY APPEAL

Thank you to everyone who supported this year's Poppy Appeal. We have collected a total of SR3,084 @ 7.1104 = £433.73 which has been transferred to the Royal British Legion, Aylesford, Kent. Carole Vizard, the Overseas Development Officer, has written to say that she would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your very kind and continued support.

William John Neil
HM Consul

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Visit http://www.fco.gov.uk for British foreign policy news and travel advice; and http://www.i-uk.com - the essential guide to the UK.

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