Residents in flood-affected areas are warned about scammers seeking personal information
Greater Manchester: People dealing with flood damage are facing a new threat—scammers. They’re calling residents, trying to trick them into giving up personal info.
Peter Crossen, a Stockport councillor focused on financial crime, got a suspicious call yesterday. Someone was offering to fix flood damage, but he thinks it was a scam. He’s worried others might fall for it too.
“They’re probably targeting the SK7 area, trying to reach as many people as possible,” he said. “It’s terrible to think someone could lose money to scammers after already dealing with flood damage.”
Crossen looked into the number and found it had been flagged in local groups, suggesting it’s linked to scammers making cold calls. The Manchester Evening News discovered that this number had been searched over 180 times in just one day.
This isn’t the first time this has happened. Last October, after flooding in Oxford, residents were warned about rogue traders pushing for repairs on damaged homes.
Stockport council reminded everyone that scammers are always looking for chances to exploit people. They advised residents to be cautious with cold calls and never share personal or financial details.
Coun Jilly Julian, who oversees finances in Stockport, emphasized the importance of verifying callers. “If you’re unsure, hang up and check the company’s details yourself,” she said.
They also suggested blocking suspicious numbers and reporting them to the Citizens Advice Consumer Service. Plus, registering with the Telephone Preference Service can help cut down on unwanted calls.
