Aberdeenshire Trading Standards are warning residents to be aware of bogus telephone callers claiming to represent Aberdeenshire Council.

The callers have targeted a number of residents across Aberdeenshire and claim to represent their local county council.

Although county councils still exist in England, they were abolished in Scotland in 1975 when a system of large regional councils was introduced, which was in turn abolished in 1996 and replaced by the current unitary council areas.

Aberdeenshire Council’s Service Manager for Customer Services, Morag Esson, said: “The council contacts customers for a variety of reasons but when we do, it is in response to a query a customer has raised or as a result of contact they had initiated.

“All officers would always provide their name, job title and telephone number.”

Aberdeenshire Council’s Trading Standards manager, Wilma Urquhart, said:

“Our advice is never to give out details to anyone who calls you unexpectedly – whether by telephone or by coming to your door.

“Never let anyone inside your home if they call unexpectedly, until you are satisfied they are who they say they are and be vigilant about giving out personal details.”

Complaints concerning the activities of cold callers can be made to the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 03454 040506, who can pass details of the case on to Trading Standards.

Any further incidents of this type can also be reported directly to Trading Standards on (01467) 628323 or Police Scotland on 101.

Further information on Aberdeenshire Trading Standards can be found at http://bit.ly/1lMMM1i