Elgin Management letting agency in Liverpool is warning tenants following an incident when a bogus letting agent entered the home of a 20 year old female renter.
The incident took place at a house in the Wavertree part of the city when a white man with a foreign accent was said to have asked to view the property and claimed to have been sent by Elgin ā although in reality the firm knew nothing of the man or the visit.
Earlier this week Elgin tweeted: “We have had reports of unexpected visits at some of our houses. We are working with @MerpolRiverside to look into this. #Beware.” The agency has also emailed all of its tenants to alert them to the threat.
The Liverpool Echo newspaper, which has also reported on the issue, says police are aware of three cold-calling incidents on Monday this week.
Neighbourhood sergeant Tom Welch is quoted in the Echo: “A man called at three houses unannounced and his behaviour made the occupants suspicious. No criminal offences were committed and nothing was stolen but the residents did exactly the right thing and reported their concerns to their landlords anyway.
“Our advice is never allow anyone you don’t know into your house. This includes cold-callers trying to sell you things, offer repairs or claiming to be from a company saying they need to look inside your house.
“Reputable, legitimate companies will never turn up unannounced and will always make an appointment with you first. Tenants should always check with their landlord if someone does call unannounced and most reasonable people will be happy to wait outside while these checks are made.
“If you remain concerned or suspicious, don’t let them in and instead ask them to leave. If they refuse call 999.”
