Residents are being warned about a scam in which bogus traders have called on houses offering to fit insulation.

Under the scam, traders have called on homes in Manchester and Trafford, claiming to work on behalf of Manchester City Council and offering to provide loft and cavity wall insulation.

The traders put pressure on residents to sign up straight away, and they have also been inconsistent about the prices they have quoted.

Anyone who receives a call from one of these traders should ask to see identification and should not sign up for any scheme straight away. Any resident who suspects the caller is trying to mislead them should contact trading standards.

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Employees of a company called Insulation UK do knock on doors across Manchester to promote the City Council's Warm Homes Project, but they carry ID as well as official letters which they leave with anyone interested in the scheme.

Councillor Nigel Murphy, Manchester City Council's Executive Member for the Environment, said: "Anyone who receives a call from someone claiming to represent the City Council should ask to see some identification. If the caller is not able to provide any ID, this is a scam, and residents should also never feel pressurised to sign up for schemes straight away.

"However, proper advice is available about insulation schemes across Greater Manchester through the Toasty campaign, and I urge anyone to take advantage of this."

(CD)