Residents in the Rochford District are being warned to be on their guard after reports that a company has been cold-calling people in the area posing as council officials and trying to sell loft and cavity wall insulation.

The Council has received reports that a company has been cold-calling residents on the telephone and saying they are from the Council’s grants department.

The Council would like to make it clear that its officers would never, under any circumstances, cold call residents to try and sell them anything.

Rochford District Council’s Portfolio Holder for Community Safety, Councillor Jo McPherson, said: “I would like to urge all residents to be on their guard if they receive telephone calls like these, and definitely don’t commit to purchasing or buying anything.

If residents receive a telephone call from anyone saying they are from the Council they can check their credentials very easily. You can take their name, the department they say they work for and ask to ring them back.

Then telephone the switchboard on 01702 546366 and ask to be put through to them or their department.”