Police have issued warnings following the rising number of cold callers and doorstep scammers in the Hyndburn area.
The warnings come after Hyndburn Police were made aware of three recent incidents of suspected ‘bogus roofers’ targeting the vulnerable and elderly in Oswaldtwistle.
Lancashire County Council and Lancashire Constabulary have posted warning leaflets through letterboxes urging people to stay cautious of scammers after the recent reports.
The tricksters impersonate various professions from roofers, to salesmen, to housing scheme operators trying to catch residents off guard.
One woman from Oswaldtwistle was targeted by a doorstep cold caller on Tuesday July, 26. Fortunately, she spotted the signs and “politely told them no.”
Some residents, however, may not know how to spot a scammer so local authorities have sent out advice to help locals protect themselves from the deceitful people.
PC Dave Render of Lancashire Constabulary released a statement on July, 26. He said: "Typically, in cases like these, a bogus tradesperson will ‘cold call’ a victim by turning up on their doorstep unannounced and offering to clean their guttering for a small sum.
"However, the trickster will claim to the victim that they have found extensive damage to their roof requiring immediate attention. We are currently working in partnership with Lancashire County Council Trading Standards Team.”
The advice on the leaflets warns residents against making decisions on the spot due to pressure. This includes never agreeing to have any work done as a result of a cold caller offering to do a job.
Additionally, never rely solely on a mobile number as proof of a trader’s legitimacy and always ask for the full name and address of the trader and business.
Similar scams targeting vulnerable elderly tenants have also been reported in Preston. Lancashire County Council Trading Standards Team shared that at least 15 separate reports of the same business were made from Saturday July, 9 to Monday July, 11.
The businesses that claim to be a housing scheme operator have been knocking on doors in Preston asking for money to carry out repairs.
The Trading Standards said: “Social landlords will carry these repairs out free of charge. All sheltered or social housing residents are advised to raise any necessary repairs directly with their housing provider, and not to agree any contracts with cold callers, or give any money up-front for work.”
If you have any information regarding these incidents in Hyndburn or other areas, contact Trading Standards on 01772 532763 or Lancashire Constabulary on 101 non-emergency.
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