Residents should be on the look-out for a fraudster impersonating a Trading Standards Officer, according to a statement from Kingston Council on October 15.
The man – who remains unidentified – has targeted residents over the phone and in person, twice asking for money to aid with an investigation into a rogue-trader.
Councillor Terry Patton of Resident Services said: “The fraudster can be quite persistent and persuasive in trying to convince people to part with large sums of money over the course of a few days by phone and in person, telling the victim not to speak to anyone because of the so-called ‘investigation’.”
The council stressed that real Trading Standards Officers always make an appointment in advance and will show ID upon arrival. Under no circumstances would they request payment from a victim.
For more information contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 03454 04 05 06, or visit www.actionfraud.police.uk.
