if asked =? if you are/were asked?

[JACEK1]

Hello everybody!

Here is the whole sentence.

If asked to look after luggage for someone else, inform police at once.

Does if asked mean if you are/were asked.

The sentence does not make sense to me. Why should police be informed? For fear that the luggage might contain something dangerous?

Thank you.

The sentence is taken from Third New Edition Michael Swan Fully Revised Practical English Usage, page 384.

 

[5jj]

Yes and yes.

It's refreshing to have somebody give reference/context for things they are asking about. :up:

 

[Barb_D]

The implication is that "someone else" is a stranger. YOu don't have to call the police if your wife asks you to hold her carryon while she gets you both a cup of coffee.