The fake calls are being investigated by trading standards officers following a number of complaints from people claiming that they have been called unexpectedly about car accidents. The callers either claim to be from the council or, in some cases, claim to have been given information about the ‘accidents’ by the council. When questioned, the callers have hung up.

Other scams across the country involving fake officials have led to significant losses for their victims. An elderly couple from the Home Counties lost £900,000 in a scam – involving a bogus trading standards officer. The pensioners, who had already been defrauded of £300,000 by so called roofers, believed their fortunes had changed when the bogus official came calling.

The ‘official’, thought to be part of the same gang as the ‘roofers’, tricked the couple out of a further £600,000 in ‘up-front fees’ with promises to recover the money. For his part in the crime, Gary Andrew Booker, aged 55 of Surrey, was jailed for three-and-a-half years, earlier this July – also Scams Awareness Month 2016.

Other recent cases include an 83-year-old woman tricked out of £30,000 to fake police officers; a women who lost £170,000 to conmen posing as trading standards officers; and a number of elderly people who were caught out by callers masquerading as NHS workers.

Gillian Guy, chief executive of Citizens Advice, said: “Scammers target people in all sorts of ways, including online, over the phone or even at their own front door.

“If you suspect someone is running a scam or are worried you have been a victim of a bogus offer you can get help from the Citizens Advice consumer service.”

Advice to guard against doorstep callers:

• · Fit and use a door security chain when you open the door.
• · Check the identification of a caller by ringing their employer. Use the telephone number from your telephone book and not one they might supply.
• · Do not let anyone to carry out work on your house until you get a second opinion and never agree to callers who say “we are only in the area today”.
• · Never keep large sums of money in the house and keep purses out of sight, not near the door.
• · Get advice from the Citizens Advice consumer service 03454 04 05 06 who can provide advice and pass details on to trading standards.
• · Report scams or suspected scams to Action Fraud: 0300 123 2040 www.actionfraud.police.uk
• · Tell a friend, neighbour or relative about any scams you become aware of.
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