One part of Merseyside has been issued with a warning over potential scammers.
Sefton Council has released a warning to those living in the borough over fraudsters offering free surveys to check for toxic mould in people's homes. The council believes since the high-profile coverage of two-year-old Awaab Ishak's death in 2020 as a result of mould in his home, there have been a number of reports sent to the council.
The reports include scammers cold-calling, phoning, texting and emailing homeowners and tenants, urging them to have a survey carried out. Now, two councillors have issued a reminder for people to be cautious.
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Cllr Trish Hardy, Sefton Council's cabinet member for communities and housing, said: "Sadly, criminals are cashing in on the sad death of Awaab Ishak and using it to trick householders into paying administration fees ranging from £50 to £250, which they say will secure Government grants.
"Sometimes, having cynically taken the money, the scammers simply disappear. In other cases, they have charged people thousands of pounds for unnecessary work and pressured them into taking out loans to finance it.
"Some of that work has been such poor quality that it has affected the value of the property."
The Chartered Trading Standards Institute has blamed the recent rise in dampness and condensation problems on the cost of living crisis which has forced people to leave their heating off in order to save money.
Cllr Paulette Lappin, Sefton Council's cabinet member for regulatory, compliance and corporate services, said: "The Council’s own Trading Standards team is currently investigating a similar case.
"You should avoid clicking on any links or downloading any attachments in unsolicited emails or texts from unknown sources, or even trusted ones unless you are absolutely sure they are authentic."
A Sefton Council spokesperson said: "The council’s trading standards team provides help and advice on consumers’ civil rights relating to goods or services purchased. Available to residents and businesses in Sefton, the service promotes fair trading practices and enforces consumer law relating to a range of areas including the safety of consumer goods, the sale of fake or counterfeit goods, doorstep crime and overcharging and misleading prices.
"People can find out more at www.sefton.gov.uk/trading-standards and can contact the team by emailing etscontact@sefton.gov.uk or calling free on 0808 223 1133."
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