As a result of the current Covid 19 pandemic, Halton Borough Council’s social work staff will be making contact with individuals following referrals from a range of possible sources including hospitals, care providers, family, or self-referrals.
In an effort to avoid the unnecessary contact between people that may place the public at risk of infection, assessments will be undertaken over the phone. our staff may contact family members or other informal carers to gain an understanding of someone’s history, background and their current needs and to undertake assessments over the phone.
These calls may involve discussing highly sensitive and personal data and information.
Halton Borough Council’s Executive Board Member for Trading Standards, Cllr Dave Cargill, said: “Halton Trading Standards is aware some scammers are claiming to be officials, such as social workers, to obtain personal and banking information.
“Officers are urging members of the public to be cautious about giving any information to unexpected callers.”
If you receive a call claiming to be from a social worker you can make sure they are genuine by calling either of the Council’s published numbers:
HBC Contact Centre number: 0303 333 4300
Adult Social Care enquiries please phone 0151 907 8306
You will not be asked for your bank account or bank card details.
If you receive an unexpected call from anybody asking for your bank details, ask them for their name and the name of the organisation they work for and tell them that you will call them back.
Look up the organisation they claim to be from in the Phone Book, or by typing their website address online, and phone the organisation to make sure it was a genuine call. Do not phone the organisation on the number the caller has given.
If you or somebody you know has been caught out by a scam or fraud please contact one of our specialist officers, Linda or Sue on 0151 511 8785 or 0151 511 8775, who are already working with people in Halton who have lost thousands of pounds to scams.