Scam prevention

You should never give money or personal information like bank account details to someone who knocks on your door, calls or messages you. If you feel threatened or in danger, please call 999.

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Scam prevention

You should never give money or personal information like bank account details to someone who knocks on your door, calls or messages you. If you feel threatened or in danger, please call 999.

The following information tells you what you can expect from Cottsway if we need to visit your home or get in touch with you, and advice on what to do if you are in any doubt about whether the contact is genuine.

Our staff always carry photographic identity cards and should show you this if they need to come to your home for any reason.

Home visits

Phone calls

Text messages

Photograph requests

Home visits

Bogus callers may claim to be from the council, police or utility companies. They may also pose as builders or gardeners and try to trick you into paying for unnecessary work. You should never agree to have work completed by someone who is just passing by.

There are some steps you can take to protect yourself from bogus callers. If someone knocks at your door unannounced:

Before you answer, stop and think if you are expecting anyone.
Check that you have locked the back door and taken the key out.
Look through a spy hole or window to see who it is. You can choose not to open the door.
Even if they have a pre-arranged appointment, take time to check their identity card carefully. Close the door while you do this.
If you are still unsure, look up the phone number and ring to verify their identity. Never call the number on the identity card, or a number that has been given to you, as these may be fake and you may be speaking to another fraudster. If someone visits unexpectedly saying they are working for, or on behalf of, Cottsway, ask them to wait outside and shut the door. Then call us on 01993 890000 to check.

If you suspect a caller is bogus, you should report it to your local police force's non-emergency service by calling 101. If they persist or become threatening, call 999 immediately.

Phone calls

If we need to call you, our number is 01993 890000 and we never use automated messages.
Our staff will go through security checks with you, using information that we have on record for you.
If someone claims to be from Cottsway and you are in doubt, do not pass on any of your personal information or bank details and end the call. Please feel free to give us a call to check: 01993 890000

Text messages

We use text messages for some repairs appointments and sometimes for other purposes.

Our texts will display the sender as ‘Cottsway’.

We will never ask you to share your bank details via text message.

If you are unsure about a text you have received claiming to be from Cottsway, please do not respond or follow any steps being asked of you, and contact us: 01993 890000

Photograph requests

If we ask for photographs, this will always be about an issue you are already talking to us about, such as a repair or reporting anti-social behaviour.