We have been made aware of scammers operating in some of our communities claiming to be from the “Social Housing Standards Agency” and asking residents if they can enter their homes to take damp or mould readings.
⚠️ Please be aware: this is a scam
These individuals may cold call or knock on doors pretending to represent organisations such as the “Social Housing Standards Agency,” “Housing Standards Agency,” “Housing Disrepair Teams” or even claim to be working for, or on behalf of, Castles & Coasts.
How the scam works:
- Scammers may claim they can inspect or fix issues such as damp, mould, or other repairs
- They may try to gain access to your home or ask for personal or financial information
- Some may encourage residents to sign up to “no win, no fee” housing disrepair claims, which can leave tenants liable for significant legal fees if the claim fails
- Others may pretend to be carrying out safety or inspection checks to gain entry to your property
How to protect yourself:
- Do not allow unexpected visitors into your home
- Always ask to see official photo ID from anyone claiming to carry out work for, or on behalf of, Castles & Coasts, especially if you are not expecting a visit from us
- Never give bank details or personal information to someone who contacts you unexpectedly
- If you receive a suspicious call, hang up and contact us directly using a trusted number
📞 You can also report scams to Report Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or via their website, www.reportfraud.police.uk
❗ Important ❗
If you have any repair issues, including damp or mould, it’s really important that you report them directly to us straight away. We will always arrange inspections and repairs through our own authorised teams. Please get in touch using any of the methods on our website here.
We have emailed residents in areas we know are being targeted. Please help us by sharing this information with neighbours and family members, especially those who may be vulnerable, to help keep our community safe.
Thank you for your continued vigilance.