Council Officer Impersonation Scam – Loft Insulation

We’ve had a report that some residents in Fenland have recently been visited by rogue traders purporting to be Council officers offering loft insulation.
Please be aware that Fenland District Council are not carrying out such work, nor do they endorse any companies offering loft insulation, or supply details of residents to such companies. It is likely that these traders are using the Council’s name to access properties in order to steal or to try to get customers to agree to work, whether it is needed or not.
Whilst this matter has been brought to our attention in Fenland, don’t forget that criminals know no boundaries and will try their luck over a wide area. Please share this warning far and wide.
If you are visited by a cold caller on the doorstep please remember you do not have to answer the door, it is not impolite to not answer to people you are not expecting. However if you do decide to answer the door remember to:

  • Ensure back doors and windows are locked
  • Use your door chain to answer the door
  • Ask for proof of ID
  • Check the ID has not been tampered with e.g. new photo stuck over
  • Contact the organisation to check the visitor is genuine – using a number you know to be correct such as from their official website, social media page or a bill (i.e. not a number on the ID card)
  • Refuse to engage with anyone who does not offer reliable proof of ID
  • A genuine caller will not mind waiting for you to make these checks.
  • Report rogue traders to the police on 999 (if still present) or 101 after the event.
  • For a free ‘Please leave and do not return’ door sticker please email against-scams@cambridgeshire.gov.uk.

HMRC

There have been reports of various scam emails or text messages supposedly from HMRC, i.e. the tax office. HMRC advises that “HMRC never send notifications of a tax rebate or ask you to disclose personal or payment information by text message.”

Be very suspicious of any text, email or phone call that purports to come from HMRC.

More information is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/phishing-and-bogus-emails-hm-revenue-and-customs-examples/phishing-emails-and-bogus-contact-hm-revenue-and-customs-examples