Warning over suspicious callers as man flushed out

WIDNES residents are being warned to stay vigilant as a suspicious cold caller has been reported.

A man from Widnes reported a caller who knocked at his door last week. The caller was a young man in his late teens or early 20s.

He was trying to sell household items, claiming to be an ex-offender who was on a rehabilitation scheme.

The home owner asked for ID and the caller provided his driving licence.

The resident, however, was still wary so contacted the Probation Service in Middlesborough, which the man claimed to be with. It confirmed that the caller was fake, his story fabricated and the service has received similar reports.

Halton Borough Council Trading Standards officers advise people to avoid being caught out by doorstep rogues by refusing to deal with people who cold-call.

There are free No Cold Calling car and letterbox stickers available from any Halton Direct Link.

Cllr Dave Cargill, Halton Council’s executive board member for Trading Standards, said: “If you or somebody you know has been caught out by a fraud please contact one of our specialist officers, Linda or Sue on 0151 511 8785 or 0151 511 8775, who are already working with people in Halton who have lost thousands of pounds to scams.”

For advice on anything else contact the Citizens Advice consumer helpline or 0345 404 0506.