Right to buy bogus callers warning
Released: 5 April 2007
Householders are being warned about bogus callers purporting to be working ‘in conjunction’ with the council.
Fortunately a Wolverhampton Homes member of staff was with a tenant at their home in the Scotlands area of the city when they were approached by one of two young (approx mid 20’s) Liverpudlian men who claimed he was “working in conjunction with the council” providing valuations for houses giving details of the ‘right to buy’ discount.
The man asked personal questions of the tenant including requesting details of a phone number, postcode and current work status.
When challenged by the Wolverhampton Homes member of staff about his alleged connection to the city council - and the tenant also said they were not currently in work - the man replied that the tenant wasn’t eligible for the scheme and hurriedly left.
Wolverhampton Homes has received calls from concerned residents about the activities of these men, who may be linked to a number of residents receiving £2,000 bills from a debt collection agency in Ireland after taking a ‘no obligation’ valuation and quote for ‘right to buy’.
Genuine Wolverhampton Homes and Wolverhampton City Council staff have identification and will usually have made appointments before visiting tenants or residents.
No-one should ever provide personal details to anyone ‘cold calling’ whom they are not expecting or have not made arrangements to meet.
Issued by the press office.
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