ID theft scam hits JZ Capital Partners investors

Shareholders in Guernsey-based investment group JZ Capital Partners must have thought it was their lucky day. Around a week ago, some of them received a phone call advising them the company was the subject of a hostile bid and offering them $30 (£16) for each of their preference shares. These currently stand at around £2 each. All they had to do was fill in an application form giving information relating to their passport, social security numbers and so on. Guess what? It was a scam, and the company has hastily written to all its 2,000 investors to warn them not to reply. JZ pointed out it had not authorised any third party to contact shareholders, and what was more, it was not the subject of a hostile takeover offer. Apparently none of the JZ shareholders were tempted by the $30 to part with their personal details. "The... [read full story]