Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service were recently made aware of a scam ’phone call made to a female resident in Pembrokeshire.
She received a ’phone call from a male who informed her that he had received her contact details from her energy company. He proceeded to ask if she had smoke alarms installed, which she didn’t.
He then told her that she was in breach of government regulations for not having alarms and that she could be fined for this. The scammer then offered her a special price on having a fire safety system installed in her kitchen for £80, payable over the telephone from her credit card.
Thankfully, on this occasion, the resident questioned him and did not give him details of her card. He hung up. Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service have since received reports that he has phoned the resident for a second time.
Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service urges the public to be vigilant of such offers and requests for money, be they by phone, post, email or door step callers, and report any suspicions that they may have to the Citizens Advice Consumer Services on 03454 040506.
MAWWFRS provides a free of charge home fire safety service and will install home smoke alarms free of charge. To arrange a home fire safety check by the Fire Service, please phone 0800 169 1234 or visit www.mawwfire.gov.uk for further information.
Scams can take many forms and are disguised through various methods. Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, North Wales Fire and Rescue Service and South Wales Fire and Rescue Service have been made aware of scams targeting households and businesses. Some scammers will even make reference that they are endorsed by a particular Fire and Rescue Service.
Karen Jones, head of community safety, said: “Scams can be targeted against anyone and the consequences on the victims can be extremely serious, not only can they lose out financially, but there can also an impact on their health and well-being.
“Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service are working with trading standards colleagues to raise awareness of scams and improve the safety of our communities.
“The fire and rescue service does recommend that all homes have working smoke alarms but the home fire safety service we offer is free and we do not charge for any of the equipment we provide.”
Contact 0800 169 1234 or visit our website www.mawwfire.gov.uk for further information and advice on home safety.
If anyone has any concerns or suspicions about requests for money or personal information made through the post, telephone, e-mail or by callers they can contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Services (CACS) 03454 040506 or contact their local trading standards department.