Dear Watch Member,
Please be aware of a fraudulent cold calling scam currently targeting residents of Hertfordshire who have had spray foam loft insulation applied in the past. The fraudsters may tell you that there are issues with the original installation company and they may frighten you by talking about fire risks associated with that insulation. They will inform you that you will be able to reclaim the cost of the installation and that they will be able to remedy the works, essentially free of charge.
None of those claims are true. What is true however, is that customer lists have fallen into the hands of scammers who are making these targeted sales calls. Once in a property, they produce a ‘report’ indicating safety problems and then arrange to carry out ‘remedial’ works themselves.
Although they say the work is free, they will need paying first, telling you to try to claim money back from your bank for the original defective works. In the absence of a genuine inspection report, this will not happen. If payment was made by cheque or bank transfer, there is no obligation for the bank to pay anything back in these circumstances anyway. It is a scam.
If you, or anyone you know, has had this work done in the past please be prepared for these calls and tell them that you are not interested. Please don’t allow the trader to enter your home.
To report a fraud to the Police, please contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or at www.actionfraud.police.uk.
If you need to reply regarding this message, tap on this email address: [email protected]
Regards,
Lee O’Brien
Pinner Safer Neighbourhood Team
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 020 8721 2775