Warning about loft insulation scam organisations impersonating local government

A resident has alerted us to a phone call she received from a man purporting to be an "insulation clerk" from "Cambridgeshire County Council".

The man advised that the lady's house had an insulation grant in 1985 and was offering a free survey of the loft the next day to check for mold etc as the insulation used "has fibre glass and is now below quality", saying that a further free grant was available to upgrade the insulation if needed. The house was only built in 1992.

Upon further enquiries, it became apparent that the caller was ringing from the Bournemouth area and a Google search of the number (01202 942344) shows a negative rating. All indications point to this being an insulation scam with the fraudsters impersonating a local government agency to try to gain confidence and trust, especially in these times of economic uncertainty and rising energy costs. Thank you to the resident who brought this to our attention. 

If you'd like to better insulate your home with all the many benefits that brings for the planet, your comfort, quality of life and costs, then always use a reputable tradesperson, never a cold caller who contacts you out of the blue. CAPASP partner Safe Local Trades | Find recommended and approved traders in Peterborough and surrounding areas would be a great place to start if you are in the north of the county, or try the Trading Standards approved Buy With Confidence – Trading Standards Approved. 

For further advice on all the ways you can make your home more energy efficient, see below for the relevant webpages of your local district council. Also, take a look at the websites of their partner organisations:  Warm Homes | Projects | PECT and/or LEAP | The Energy and Money Saving Service | Free Advice (applyforleap.org.uk) (depending on where you live).

Peterborough Local Energy Advice Partnership - Peterborough City Council 

Fenland Cost of living support in Fenland - Fenland District Council

East Cambs Energy Efficiency Advice and Support | East Cambridgeshire District Council (eastcambs.gov.uk)

Huntingdonshire Sustainability & Greener Living - Huntingdonshire.gov.uk

Cambridge City Home energy efficiency grants and incentives - Cambridge City Council

South Cambs LEAP (the Local Energy Advice Partnership) - South Cambs District Council (scambs.gov.uk) 

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