Compensation scam attempt on Bury restaurants

Town centre businesses have been warned to be on their guard after a woman tried a 'compensation' scam at least two restaurants.

Our Bury St Edmunds business improvement district and St Edmundsbury environmental health officers alerted businesses after staff at Carluccio's in the arc became suspicious.

A woman, who was not a customer, complained about cakes being uncovered and next day emailed the restaurant claiming Trading Standards had said she should get compensation for the time she had spent raising it, then demanded a £50 pasta making machine. But then she sent them a similar email intended for another restaurant.

A Carluccio's spokesman said today they had not heard from her again.

Our BSE chief executive Marke Cordell warned members: "Clearly this woman is trying this tack with a number of businesses and, although its food and drink now, I am sure she is very capable of changing her tactics to other sectors within the town."

St Edmundsbury Borough Council said: "We are keen to support local businesses and want to alert them, so they are not caught out. Trading Standards has not in this instance provided compensation advice.

"Any Suffolk business who are concerned about these instances can contact the Trading Standards team on 01473 264859.”