Salford residents are being urged to beware of scammers selling fire extinguishers on the doorstep.
Salford City Council’s trading standards team say one elderly resident has been duped into paying £30 for an extinguisher which may not meet the right safety standards.
And fire chiefs from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service have backed the warning saying that their staff never cold call or try to sell items to people on the doorstep.
Councillor Gena Merrett, executive lead member for housing and environment, said the scammers could be putting lives at risk.
“This is extremely serious and needs to be nipped in the bud. There have been three incidents across Greater Manchester but in Salford a young woman, claiming to be from the fire service, turned up at the gentleman’s home and sold him a fire extinguisher for £30. His son, who had seen warnings in the local media, reported it to our trading standards team,” she said.
“If you have elderly relatives, please urge them never to buy anything on the doorstep. It really is not the place to do business.
“And if you are concerned about fire risks, please book a free Safe and Well visit from the fire service. They will identify potential fire risks and make sure you know what to do to reduce or prevent them, help you create a fire escape plan and, if you don’t have a working smoke alarm, they may fit one for you.”
Chairman of Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Authority, Councillor David Acton said: “Sadly GMFRS has been made aware of three incidents where people pretending to work for GMFRS have targeted vulnerable residents.
“GMFRS is working with Greater Manchester Police and trading standards regards the incident and want to remind people that the service doesn’t cold-call or try to sell items to people. GMFRS staff wear identification badges with pictures and carry warrant cards and people can ask to look at these.”
