Residents are Warned of Bogus Council Callers
Warwickshire County Council Trading Standards Service are warning residents to be on their guard against unexpected telephone calls from someone falsely claiming to be from Warwickshire County Council.
Trading Standards Officers have received several complaints from residents who have received such calls. In some cases the caller, after claiming to be phoning from ‘Warwickshire County Council’ or ‘Warwick Council’ for research purposes, has asked the resident how old they are and whether they live alone.
Some residents have reported being phoned four or five times. When challenged, or asked which department or service they represent the caller then hangs up.
Trading Standards Officers believe the phone calls may be marketing related but advise householders to be cautious and to follow their advice.
Advice on dealing with unexpected callers
Don’t provide any personal or financial information to callers you don’t know and trust.
Challenge caller’s claims – ask for their name and their company name and if you wish to speak to them, phone them back via a publicly listed telephone number.
If you don’t wish to speak to them, put the phone down.
To reduce the number of unwanted telephone sales calls you receive register with the Telephone Preference Service on 0845 070 0707.
If the caller is persistent, seek advice from your phone provider (e.g BT).
If you are receiving abusive, threatening or obscene calls, malicious or otherwise distressing to you, then report them to the police.