South London council issues urgent warning after criminals pretending to be housing repairs scam residents
A South London council has issued an urgent warning to residents following a series of phone call scams from criminals pretending to be housing repairs. Southwark Council issued the warning to locals after it was alerted to a group pretending to be a Housing Disrepair Team.
The council stated that staff and residents may be contacted by a number which will seek confirmation as to whether they are speaking to a Council tenant or the Housing Association. The caller might also ask about details about the landlord.
Residents shared the letter to a local Facebook group saying: “If you are contacted, please report to the details on the photo.” Other locals began sharing their experiences of the scam in the comments.
One local wrote: “I’ve had a call from them, I asked him, what borough council his repair team were from, and he put the phone down on me! hmmm I wonder why?? Have blocked their number now, but they do have several numbers they use, have blocked another one since the first call.”
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Another wrote: “I’ve had this call constantly for months. I just hang up!”
One said: “Thank you for sharing!!! I had a call too, I blocked it, sounded dodgy and reported to my housing!”
“I get calls from these using mobiles 3 or 4 times per week,” added another resident.
The letter advised: “This number has nothing to do with London Borough of Southwark and no personal information should be provided in any circumstances.”
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To report fraud anonymously, Southwark Council advised: “Please call 0800 052 1010, available 24 hours a day. Email: fraud.hotline@southwark.gov.uk or http://www.southwark.gov.uk/fraud .”
Anyone affected by fraud can report to Action Fraud at 0300 123 2040 or via their website at https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/reporting-fraud-and-cyber-crime .
Got a story you’d like to share? Email ella.doyle@reachplc.com.
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