City of York Council is warning residents to be vigilant after learning about the tactics of salespeople purporting to sell home insulation.

The council's Trading Standards team is aware that a number of residents have been targeted by callers claiming to be representing a London based company, which is offering home energy saving solutions.

The caller claims to have records about each homeowners' property, which indicate insulation or additional insulation is required, and is very keen to elicit information about the homeowners identity and property.

The caller is reticent about providing any details about the company and, when pressed, rings off. Residents who try to make further enquiries find the telephone number has been withheld.

Matthew Boxall, Trading Standards manager, said: "We would urge people not to provide any financial or personal information before they establish whether companies and individuals are legitimate.

"Such information, if it falls into the wrong hands, can be used for fraudulent activities and can cause distress and inconvenience to the person who has inadvertently provided it.

"We would also always caution people not to buy goods or services from firms who cold call, without first satisfying themselves that the trader is offering a quality product, at a reasonable price and that the advice from the firm as to the necessity of the goods or services is correct."

Residents who have concerns about the legitimacy of any unsolicited caller should contact Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06.