Be aware of scams surrounding NSA Events this summer.

As the agricultural show season sets off this summer, the National Sheep Association (NSA) warns trade exhibitors to be aware of the usual spam and scam emails that appear at this time of year.

NSA is aware of multiple companies offering to sell exhibitor and/or attendees lists for events, include NSA sheep events. NSA is not linked to any of these companies and never shares data on exhibitors (other than what’s included in the online exhibitor listing) or on visitors. Please delete emails such as these or, if you feel inclined, report them to the national phishing helpline by forwarding the email to [email protected].

Another scam that rears its head at semi-regular intervals in various forms is for companies and organisations that have supported NSA sheep events in the past to receive a pre-populated form reportedly offering free advertising in an 'International Fairs Directory' or 'Expo Guide' – see example pictured. 

The form does not carry an NSA logo but instead has an address at the bottom for a company registered in either Mexico or Costa Rica. While the suggestion is that advertising is free, the small print says anyone returning the form will be charged in the region of €1,200 per year for three years 'or it’s monetary equivalent in a currency chosen by the publisher'. Any correspondence from an International Fairs Directory, Expo Guide or any using a non-UK address should be assumed to be fraudulent.

Helen Roberts, NSA Sheep Event Organiser, says: "Any correspondence NSA sends out regarding its sheep events is clearly identified with our name, logo and full address (including the postcode). If you receive anything that is not clearly branded as coming from NSA, please ignore it. It is very frustrating that these fraudsters continue to use our name to try and fool people and we wish there were a way to stop them. Please do not be taken in by the scam and always look out for the NSA logo on all correspondence."