We have been notified about housing repair scams, also known as “claim farming.”
In these scams, individuals or companies pressure tenants into making legal disrepair claims against their landlords, often using misleading promises, hidden fees, and aggressive tactics like cold calling, leaflets, or social media ads.
Risks to tenants:
- You could face financial loss from legal or court costs.
- You might breach your tenancy agreement if you prevent EPIC from accessing for repairs.
- You may be misled by fraudulent companies with fake names or contact details.
What to do if you suspect a scam:
- Be alert to anyone who contacts you unexpectedly about repairs or legal claims.
- Be cautious of suspicious text messages, emails, and telephone calls.
- Do not sign anything immediately, read any documentation carefully and contact EPIC for advice.
- Always be cautious of anyone asking for money to complete a repair or claiming to work on behalf of EPIC or local authority without providing details of the repair request or showing valid photographic ID.
- Be alert to anyone asking for money or your bank account details.
- Report the potential scam to EPIC.
- Report the scam to Action Fraud or seek advice from Citizens Advice.
- Contact your local authority directly using known details, such as those on the local authority’s website.
