Herefordshire Council puts out warning to residents to watch out for potential 'cold callers' scam
The authority said its Trading Standards officers recently stepped in to help two people after salesmen arrived at their homes falsely claiming to be surveyors
People across Herefordshire are being told to be alert to the risk of a scam which has been seen lately in the area.
The warning comes from Herefordshire Council for residents to be 'on guard' to cold callers offering their services to carry out loft insulation and claiming to be from or working with the council itself or the government.
It's after it said Trading Standards officers from the authority 'stepped in' to help two people in their 80s, after salesmen arrived at their homes falsely pretending to be surveyors who were offering 'bogus' loft insulation surveys.
The council confirmed officers managed to stop any sale from taking place, but added it was "just two examples of many cases dealt with by trading standards officers recently".
“These are really worrying examples of how convincing these approaches can be," said councillor Barry Durkin, Herefordshire Council’s cabinet member for roads and regulatory services.
“We want residents to be particularly cautious if someone contacts them unexpectedly offering to inspect or replace their loft insulation, especially if they claim to be working for the council or government.
“It is important to stress that the council wouldn’t contact people about this type of work, because it is not something we would carry out.
“Please don’t feel pressured into making a decision on the doorstep, you should avoid engaging with cold callers full stop.”
Further information and support can be found on the Herefordshire Council website, or the West Mercia police one.