May 27, 2020 - 897 views
Conwy County Borough Council Trading Standards team is warning residents to watch out for cold callers visiting houses and offering to do jobs.
Elderly and vulnerable residents are receiving cold callers knocking on their doors offering to carry out gardening work and clean roofs for a cost of between £700 and £1500.
The callers have told the householders that the chemicals used to clean the roofs could also help prevent Coronavirus.
Fortunately, on all occasions reported to Conwy’s Trading Standards officers, neighbours have stepped in, and been able to prevent anyone from falling victim to these uncaring scammers.
The Trading Standards team urges all residents to be vigilant when receiving unexpected knocks at the door, and to watch out for their neighbours when what could be unscrupulous traders are calling offering to carry out emergency repairs.
Cllr Charlie McCoubrey, Conwy’s Cabinet Member for Housing and Regulatory said, “Cold calling crimes are despicable and often exploit the most vulnerable in our community. But anyone can fall victim to these fraudsters and to scams of all kinds, so we’re urging everybody to be vigilant, especially during the current Coronavirus crisis.”
If you receive a cold caller, or become aware of a relative or neighbour that has been or maybe being targeted, please robustly tell the caller to leave and, if it’s safe to do so, get vehicle registration or livery details.
Please report cold callers knocking on doors by email to tradingstandards@conwy.gov.uk or call 01492 574110. If you feel threatened or in danger call 999.
Guidance on Coronavirus scams is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/be-vigilant-against-coronavirus-scams
