Planning letter scam

A local consumer received a letter claimng to be from the city council planning committee.

The letter was in relation to a planning application and the recipient was asked to pay a substantial compensation fee to the council to ensure the application was granted.

The consumer was later given details of telephone number to use to make the payment directly to the officer.

If you receive a letter of this nature, it is a scam.

This letter has not been sent by Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s planning department or committee.

The city council does not send out letters requesting compensation payment to ensure planning applications are granted.

To check the authenticity of a letter you have received from the city council call 01782 234234.

If you have received a similar letter or think you have been a victim of any other type of fraud, contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or visit their website.

For further information, or advice on scams, contact the Citizens' Advice consumer service on 03454 04 05 06.

Warning about cold caller in Eaton Park

This week a man has been knocking on doors in the Eaton Park area pressurising householders to have their roof or driveway cleaned and treated with a chemical.

He is described as in his late 50’s, greying hair, thin, height approx. 5"7 and an Irish accent.

Another man also accompanied him who is described as in his late 30’s, curly dark hair to his jawline with an Irish accent.

They were both wearing hi-vis jackets and high-vis trousers and driving a white unmarked small van.

What should you do? 

• never allow someone into your home if they call without an appointment offering to carry out work on your property
• don’t keep large sums of money at home
• don’t use property repair companies that call at your home without an appointment 
• always report suspicious callers to the police
• make sure your front and back doors are locked even if you’re at home
• check who is calling at the door by looking through a window or door viewer
• always put on your door chain or door bar before opening the door to strangers
• always ask for ID and check it carefully – keep a list of official telephone numbers by the phone (genuine callers will always be happy to wait if you want to phone and confirm their identity)

If you think you have been a victim of fraud, contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or visit their website.

For further information, or to report a similar scam, contact the Citizens' Advice consumer service on 03454 04 05 06.

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