Clever cold callers out to scam you
PEOPLE are being warned to be on their guard about cold callers and not to give in to high-pressure doorstep sales talk.
Trading Standards officers said sophisticated scammers are posing as council officers, utility company officials or tradespeople and trying to get into people’s homes offering services they don’t need or threatening court action for non-compliance with false regulations.
One Morriston resident was nearly caught out by a scammer posing as a council officer checking properties for vermin, who then demanded they stump up £850 that day or face prosecution.
Mark Thomas, Cabinet member for environment and infrastructure management, said that thankfully the householder became suspicious, checked with Trading Standards and learned it was a scam and so avoided parting with any cash.
“But even so they were left pretty shaken up because the scam was pretty sophisticated. The incident involved an inspection of their garden, which was followed up with a phone call saying an outbreak of vermin had been traced to their home and that they’d face prosecution if they didn’t pay up.
“People should always be suspicious of cold callers turning up on their doorsteps. Even if they can produce ID and it looks legitimate, bona fide representatives of reputable organisations will always allow you to check them out.
“Our advice is that if you are in doubt, ask for ID, turn them away and check them out with Trading Standards. Only rogue traders or officials will argue with that.”