EDEN District Council is asking local people to be vigilant as it has received reports from residents that a telephone scam may be operating in the area.

People have received calls from individuals purporting to be a Council officer, claiming to be offering people home improvements services funded through flood recovery money. The callers are then trying to arrange visits to people’s homes.

An Eden District Council spokesperson said: "We are asking local residents to be vigilant and not to fall victim to these telephone fraudsters, who tend to prey on the elderly and vulnerable in our communities. In this case it may be those who have been affected by the flooding in December last year.

"We therefore ask people to be suspicious if they receive an unexpected call purporting to be a Council officer or a company working on behalf of the Council, offering home improvement services linked to flood recovery money."

If you have any doubts about the validity of the call please contact Cumbria Police on the 101 non-emergency number or the Action Fraud line: tel: 0300 123 2040 (the UK’s national fraud and Cyber crime reporting centre).

Please remember the following advice so you don’t fall victim to a telephone scam:

• If you receive a call you’re not expecting, you should be suspicious.

• If you are not happy with a phone call and are suspicious of the conversation you have with the caller then please end the call and contact Cumbria Police via the non-emergency number, 101.

• Remember, when reporting a suspicious phone call to Police, wait at least five minutes before attempting to make the call to ensure you’re not reconnected to the offender.

• Alternatively, use a mobile phone or a neighbour’s phone or test your landline by phoning a friend or relative first, to ensure you aren’t still unwittingly connected to the offender.

• NEVER give your bank account details or PIN number over the phone, so do not disclose these to anyone, no matter who they claim to be.

• If you have concerns about your bank account, visit your local branch.

• Remember to follow the above advice. In addition to this, some phone companies offer call screening services that can be effective in blocking marketing cold calls and bogus callers. Contact your phone company and ask about call screening and caller display services.

To check if Eden District Council is running a particular scheme or initiative please call our Customer Contact Centre on 01768 817817 or email: customer.services@eden.gov.uk