Monmouthshire trading standards officers are warning residents to be aware of a housing improvements scam designed to relieve them of their hard-earned cash.
Monmouthshire County Council has received reports of a caller purporting to be a trading standards officer who discusses recent home improvement work with householders.
Within a short time, another individual – also alleging that he works for the trading standards service – telephones to suggest that the resident may be entitled to a refund on the home improvement work, but only if they pay several thousand pounds in advance.
County Councillor Giles Howard, cabinet member with responsibility for trading standards commented: “Trading Standards staff will never ask members of the public for money and alarm bells should ring if they receive calls of this nature. I advise residents to report any instances to the police if they have concerns about bogus council officials”.
