A WARNING to beware of cold callers offering protection from Coronavirus has been issued.

Conwy County Borough Council Trading Standards are warning residents to watch out for cold callers visiting houses and offering to do jobs.

Elderly and vulnerable residents have had people knocking on their doors offering to carry out gardening work and clean roofs for a cost of between £700 and £1,500.

The callers have told householders that the chemicals used to clean the roofs could also help prevent Covid-19.

Fortunately, on all occasions reported to Conwy’s Trading Standards officers, neighbours have stepped in, and been able to prevent anyone from falling victim to these uncaring scammers.

The trading standards team urges all residents to be vigilant when receiving unexpected knocks at the door, and to watch out for their neighbours when what could be unscrupulous traders are calling offering to carry out emergency repairs.

Cllr Charlie McCoubrey, Conwy’s cabinet member for Housing and Regulatory, said: "Cold calling crimes are despicable and often exploit the most vulnerable in our community. But anyone can fall victim to these fraudsters and to scams of all kinds, so we’re urging everybody to be vigilant, especially during the current Coronavirus crisis.”

If you receive a cold caller, or become aware of a relative or neighbour that has been or maybe being targeted, robustly tell the caller to leave and, if it’s safe to do so, get vehicle registration or livery details.

Report cold callers to tradingstandards@conwy.gov.uk or telephone 01492 574110. Anyone that feels threatened or in danger should call 999.

Guidance on Coronavirus scams is available at: www.gov.uk/government/news/be-vigilant-against-coronavirus-scams