Bogus housing trust worker alert

AN alert has been issued over bogus callers in Runcorn pretending to be from Halton Housing.

Debbie Jameson, customer involvement officer, said two tenants on the Grangeway estate had received knocks from visitors claiming that they were entitled to between £1,000 and £5,000 for repairs.

She said this followed a similar incident two weeks ago when two bogus callers coldcalled a Halton Housing customer in Widnes, in which two men entered the lady’s home and took pictures on their mobile phones of her bank card and a Department For Work And Pensions letter containing her national insurance number.

Halton Housing said that all their staff have identification (ID) badges.

Customers have been urged to ask anybody claiming to be from Halton Housing for their IDs before letting them in.

Mrs Jameson said: “If they can’t show their ID badge, don’t let them in.

“Whilst the callers claimed to be from HHT (Halton Housing Trust), it’s possible that they will also target the consumers of other housing providers – check with your own housing provider if you receive a visit that you’re not expecting.”

Anyone who thinks they may have been targeted by bogus callers should call Halton Trading Standards on 0151 511 8785 or 0151 511 8775.

Alternatively, for other general advice they should call the Citizens Advice