June 17, 2016 12.10 pm This story is over 99 months old

Warning issued after spate of bogus Lincolnshire council calls

Lincolnshire residents are being warned to be on their guard for a phone scam that has been circulating the county in recent days. Members of the public have contacted Trading Standards to say they have been targeted by someone claiming to be calling from various councils, including Lincolnshire County Council. Whilst some of the calls…

Lincolnshire residents are being warned to be on their guard for a phone scam that has been circulating the county in recent days.

Members of the public have contacted Trading Standards to say they have been targeted by someone claiming to be calling from various councils, including Lincolnshire County Council.

Whilst some of the calls have come from a private number, others are coming from the legitimate telephone number of a council in the UK.

In each case the caller claims that they are calling from the council about an accident that happened last year, sometimes suggesting that it may be possible to claim compensation.

Some of those targeted have taken to social media to warn others about the scam: “They said they were calling from the town council but called from a private number.

“They were asking for lots of information about an accident which never happened. Luckily I clicked on to this and as soon as I started asking questions they hung up. Be careful!”

Kirsty Toyne, principal trading standards officer at Lincolnshire Trading Standards said: “If you receive a phone call like this one please just hang up. Lincolnshire County Council will never contact you in this way so you know it’s a bogus call.

“It’s not clear what the fraudsters will do with any information gained so please do not give out any of your personal information to them. Just put the phone down”

If you have been affected by the scam, please contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.