The Police are investigating complaints about an overseas company called Premier Directories, which has been cold-calling local residents and inviting them to pay for a subscription in its 'Who's Who' directory.

According to Bermuda Media publisher Ian Coles, numerous friends and associates have contacted him about US-based companies calling themselves by different names, including Premier Directories.

"It would appear that this company may be suggesting they are associated with Bermuda Media and our Who's Who in Bermuda. I have also been told that they ask for credit card details over the phone in order to charge for these directory entries," said Mr. Coles.

"This company is not in any way connected with Bermuda Media. Entry into our online directory is free. Please be very careful before committing to this directory."

He circulated an email last week warning of his concerns, which prompted dozens of replies from clients who have been contacted.

Among the complaints were:

• "They certainly made it sound like they were affiliated with Bermuda".

• "The chap on the other end got quite aggressive when I refused to give him my credit card details".

• "I felt there was something not correct when they wanted my credit card".

• "They were way too keen on getting my account details and way to short on giving me info about their website/publication".

Yesterday, Detective Sergeant David Geraghty of the Bermuda Police Fraud Unit said an investigation was underway after a number of complaints.

"The Bermuda Police Service does not wish to comment on the legitimacy of 'Premier Directories', however, if a company attempts to sell a product and is not openly honest about that product; they may well commit offences against the Consumer Protection Act which are punishable upon conviction by a $10,000 fine or a six-month imprisonment," he warned.

"The Bermuda Police Services wishes to advise people to be very wary of divulging their credit card details or banking information to persons whose identity cannot be properly established."The company did not respond to a request for comment.