FRAUDSTERS have been visiting businesses claiming to be Trading Standard employees, the council has warned.

Gloucestershire County Council is urging people to check the identity of anyone who claims to be from the council after individuals were reported to be falsely claiming they were from trading standards.

There have been incidents of residents being ‘cold called’ by telephone, the caller falsely claiming to be from the council and asking questions concerning the resident’s financial situation and energy supplier.

In another incident a man claiming to be from Trading Standards threatened staff at a Cheltenham store with prosecution and said he would be back with a team to undertake an inspection.

Cllr Will Windsor Clive, Cabinet member responsible for Trading Standards said: “We’re very concerned that individuals are falsely claiming to represent authorised officers of the county council. We’ve also received reports in the past of people impersonating officers to try to scam elderly and vulnerable consumers.

“I want to make it very clear that we do not tolerate these fraudsters and we warn these individuals that it’s an offence to impersonate a Trading Standards officer and claim to be able to use their statutory powers under any circumstances. Any person found doing so can face a fine of up to £5,000.”

If you get an unexpected call from a person claiming to be from the county council and you are suspicious they are not genuine call 01452 425000.