Rare metals: Beware the scam call that could cost the earth

A Midlands firm, for instance, is phoning investors offering a so-called "green energy bundle", the Independent on Sunday reports. For £6,744, buyers receive a kilo of dysprosium, a kilo of yttrium, and two kilos each of lanthanum and neodymium. And they are told these metals will move up sharply in value. But few have any idea of what these strange-sounding substances are or, more importantly, how to value and sell them. All are, however, on the science lab periodic table of elements. They are among the 17 "rare earth elements" or "rare earth metals". The Financial Services Author...