ST HELENS Council has fired out a warning to residents after a number of bogus calls were made to households.

The calls, made from a withheld number, claim to be from St Helens Council offering assistance with legal claims for car accidents or industrial industry.

But they are a con and watchdogs fear fraudsters may be trying to get people to release private information.

 St Helens Council’s cabinet member for environment and neighbourhoods, Councillor Seve Gomez Aspron, said: “Trading Standards’ advice is to never give personal or financial information out to anyone who cold calls you on the telephone. 

"Genuine businesses or organisations will never telephone you and ask for this sort of information. Be cautious and if in doubt, hang up.”

Anyone who suspects they have received a bogus call should speak to family or friends or contact the Citizens Advice consumer service to seek advice. They can be contacted on 03454 040506.