Wigan Council warning about scammer operating in the borough

Wigan Council said a man in Atherton is claiming to be a council worker and has tried to enter a home.

They have warned locals to be alert for scammers after the man tried to get into the house under the false claim they were investigating damp problems.

In a statement made on social media, the council said the man claimed to work in the repairs team.

The authority urged residents not to let any unknown person into their homes.

They said that the council would always make appointments beforehand and have ID.

In the post, the council said: “We’ve been made aware of a man in the Atherton area pretending to be working for the council in the disrepairs team asking to enter a house to check damp issues.”

“Please do not allow access if this happens to you.

“Council staff won’t turn up without a pre-arranged appointment and if they are at an address they will be wearing a Wigan Council lanyard detailing their name and department.”

The council added that they were investigating the matter and had no more information to add on the individual when asked by the WIgan Observer.

The post sparked a huge reaction on social media with a number of people claiming the man had come to their house or “knocked on” and had a Liverpool accent, with someone else saying that he had been seen in Wigan.