New Year comes with a little warning. Over the years, a few scams have been perpetuated in my name due to a combination of high visibility and pseudo-anonymity. I wrote about it only once, but sometimes a message bears repeating.

In the early years of reviewing, I had problems with people — including people I know — using my name to get reservations at restaurants or to get restaurants to pick up their tabs or to bend over backward to serve them.

I must repeat that, as per my tag line, my reviews are conducted anonymously. Sometimes a restaurant worker will recognize me, but that is infrequent and I do not make reservations under my name, nor do I alert the restaurant that I will be there. I do not use my name in my civilian dining life, either, so if you see "Nadine Kam" on your reservation books, it won’t be me sitting in your restaurant.

The latest scam that came to my attention is from two Florida-based companies — In the News and American Registry — that follow my reviews, then follow up by sending the reviewed restaurants laminated wood plaques featuring my reviews, along with a $158 to $255 bill for the plaques.

It’s something restaurateurs can hang on their walls, and some might actually pay for it because it beats the hassle of going out and having the work done, but it’s unsolicited and makes restaurateurs feel obligated to pay for something they didn’t order.

And, it makes me look like a liar, because when I call on restaurateurs for follow-up questions or photos, many ask, "Is this going to cost anything?" Of course, the answer is "no," but this makes it look like they do end up paying for the recognition.

The In the News invoice clearly states the company is not affiliated with the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, but the nature of many Hawaii restaurants is that they are owned and managed by non-native speakers of English who can’t understand or argue with an invoice that warns about tacking on late fees if the bill is not paid immediately.

If you get one of these plaques and invoices, I suggest contacting the Better Business Bureau and sending back the bill saying you did not order the plaque.

The Honolulu Star-Advertiser sent a letter to both companies requesting they stop pestering restaurants. My review is just that, a pure, objective, old-school review with no "pay to play" structure or rules of participation. Anything else would be dishonest.

Helen Moskowitz, sales manager at American Registry responded, "In every industry, individuals and organizations are acknowledged by newspapers, magazines, websites and other publications as being prominent, respected or the best in their fields, an achievement that is usually noteworthy.

"American Registry identifies the designees and offers them an opportunity … to preserve and present this special recognition on a high quality custom wall plaque or similar recognition product."

David Kennedy, senior vice president, marketing, for the Star-Advertiser’s parent company, Oahu Publications, said, "The only plaque we produce is one we provide free of charge for the Ilima Award-winning restaurants."

The plaque is for the winners of the Honolulu Star-Advertiser’s annual restaurant awards, chosen each fall. "If it’s not this plaque, it didn’t come from the Star-Advertiser," Kennedy said.

In the News did not respond before deadline.

At Ming’s Chinese Restaurant, which received an In the News plaque after high ratings in my column, manager Ying Wu said she was confused when she received it.

"There was no letter, only a bill," she said. "It looks very nice but I didn’t order this."

Restaurateurs with questions about the plaques can call David Kennedy at 529-4818.