RESIDENTS are being urged to be wary of door-to-door salespeople claiming to offer grants for insulation and heating improvements.
The advice has been issued following complaints made to Trading Standards officers about cold-calling canvassers in the area, claiming to be from the Government's Warm Front scheme.
Appointments from legitimate staff about this initiative are always pre-arranged, so homeowners are being asked to be on their guard.
As reported, grants of up to £3,500 are available to homeowners and private tenants to help them keep warm and save money on energy bills through Warm Front.
It is administered by North East Lincolnshire Council, which does not instruct any of its staff promoting the scheme to cold call.
Debbie Fagan, head of strategic housing at the authority, said: "After the Government's recent announcement that eligibility criteria for the scheme had changed – extending it to parents who receive child tax credit or working tax credit and have child under 16 – we have received an increased number of calls from residents complaining about cold callers.
"We want to stress that cold callers will not be selling loft and cavity-wall insulation on behalf of this Warm Front scheme.
"Official staff will carry an identification badge and have an appointment arranged with a home owner who has shown interest in the scheme.
"The Warm Front scheme provides a package of insulation and heating measures tailored to meet individual needs, including loft and cavity-wall insulation, draught-proofing, hot water tank jackets and additional heating solutions such as installing a new central heating system, or repairing an existing one."
Trading Standards manager Neil Clark said: "There are often legitimate traders who go door-to-door, but only official Warm Front staff are entitled to promote or sell the scheme.
"While there is no legislation that prevents businesses knocking on doors, we would always advise consumers to check who they are dealing with, check the identity of the person who is calling, if they do not have an identity badge, they may not be genuine.
"Do not respond to any telephone number the caller gives you, check the company from your own phone book to see if they have any door-knockers in your area at the time."
Householders can apply for help from Warm Front by calling 01472 324782 or e-mailing energy@nelincs.gov.uk
If consumers are concerned about tactics used by salespersons cold calling at their door or would like to report a rogue trader, call Citizen's Advice Consumer Service on 0845 4040506.
