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Residents are being warned to be vigilant when answering their door to people claiming to be council workers after a scammer attempted to defraud a Stowmarket resident out of £200 for fake solar panel repairs.
Why it matters: Doorstep fraudsters often pose as council officials to gain trust, and Suffolk Trading Standards warns these scams can target anyone.
The big picture: Last Thursday, a Stowmarket resident was approached by someone falsely claiming to be from Mid Suffolk District Council, demanding £200 in cash for supposed solar panel repairs.
Be smart: Suffolk Trading Standards says public service employees must show identity cards when visiting homes. They warn that fake cards have been used by scammers.
How to verify if a council worker is genuine:
Always ask to see their identity card
Check it has both a photograph and the organisation's name
Call the council to verify their identity
Use official phone numbers from your bills or the phone book – not numbers on ID cards
A genuine worker will not mind waiting while you verify their credentials
If you're suspicious:
Do not hand over any money
Close the door
Report incidents to Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133
The bottom line: Legitimate council workers will never demand cash payments on the doorstep and will always carry proper identification that can be verified. Always report incidents to the Citizens Advice Consumer Service.
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