HAWORTH businesses have been warned to beware of fraudsters pretending to be bailiffs chasing a debt.

The scam artists phone victims and use the threat of legal action to force people to transfer money into a bank account.

The fraudsters, who claim to represent legitimate debt recovery companies, particularly target nurseries, and small businesses such as bed & breakfasts and guesthouses.

They claim the victim has previously advertised in a business directory, but have failed to keep up payments.

The warning, originally from the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau, is in the latest issue of the newsletter from Haworth, Cross Roads and Stanbury Parish Council.