ADEL — Businesses affiliated with the Adel-Cook County Chamber of Commerce are asked to be on the lookout for a possible scam in the area.

“Recently, we have received several requests for newcomer packets to be sent to addresses in the Moline, Ill., area,” shared Jan Harris Sanchez, Adel-Cook County Chamber of Commerce president, in a letter to member businesses.

“The callers state that they are relocating to Adel-Cook County and request information on the community, including area Realtors, telephone books, etc.”

She noted that the Adel-Cook County Chamber of Commerce “complied with these requests as we do with all requests for information.”

Sanchez said that now, however, those callers are expanding contact to Adel-Cook County businesses and claiming that they are working in conjunction with the Adel-Cook County Chamber of Commerce.

“This is erroneous. We are not working with any company or individual at this time to sell items or sponsorships to future publications,” she added.

Sanchez said that the Adel-Cook County Chamber of Commerce does contract with outside groups from time to time.

However, she said businesses would be advised for this relationship in advance of the sales people calling them.

In addition, she said the sales person would have an original signed letter of introduction on Adel-Cook County Chamber of Commerce letterhead.

“This letter in no way is meant to dissuade you from entering into a contractual relationship with those calling if that is what you want to do,” wrote Sanchez. “Our purpose in writing is to inform you that they are claiming a relationship with the chamber that does not exist and that this implies that the chamber in some way is endorsing their products or project. This is not the case.”