Tebbutt Research has today released a statement saying that it is currently undertaking a research study by telephone after a Fijian Government statement yesterday that it has been alerted by members of the public who have received cold calls from unidentified persons claiming to be from a “research and development unit”, insinuating that it is a department within government.
The Government said the calls are not from the Government and therefore are fake and should be ignored.
The number in question was 7755416 and the Government said the matter has been reported to the Police.
Tebbutt Research states that they would like to advise that the phone number in question belongs to them and has been used by a member of their staff for legitimate research purposes.
The research company says they do not represent, nor claim to represent, the Government or any other company or business or brands.
Tebbutt Research says there are no questions about Government or politics or political parties in the survey they are conducting.
The company says their staff identify themselves by name and that they are working for Tebbutt Research.
Tebbutt Research says it conducts professional market and social research in accordance with global standards and has operated under a professional code of conduct in Fiji for over 30 years.
The company also says they regret any misunderstanding regarding the purpose of the calls and have taken the number out of service while they conduct an internal review.
Tebbutt Research says if anyone wishes to check if any survey research is genuine, or if they have any questions about any survey research being conducted, they can contact their Suva office on 3315555.
