Residents across Wiltshire are being urged to remain vigilant after reports emerged of scam emails falsely claiming people could face hefty fines if they do not have working smoke alarms installed in their homes.
Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) has issued a warning following reports of fraudulent messages circulating in parts of the country, including Hertfordshire and Greater Manchester.
The emails claim households will be charged £500 if they do not have a functioning smoke alarm fitted, creating concern among recipients and prompting the fire service to reassure residents that the messages are entirely false.
Officials stressed that genuine home fire safety visits carried out by DWFRS are always provided free of charge, with any smoke alarms fitted during those visits also supplied at no cost.
The service said it had become aware of the scam through reports from elsewhere in the UK and had also received a report directly from a member of the public in its own area.
Area Manager Marc House, Head of Prevention at the service, said residents should be wary of any communication suggesting payment is required.
He said: “We are aware of people around the country receiving these emails, and we have had one reported directly to us as well.
“Please be assured, we never charge for any aspect of a home fire safety visit, including the installation of smoke alarms. Any communication suggesting otherwise is a scam.”
Mr House also reminded residents that legitimate fire service staff will always be identifiable when attending properties.
“All DWFRS staff will be in uniform and carry identification when attending properties, so our communities can feel confident they are dealing with legitimate representatives of the Service,” he said.
The warning comes as organisations across the country continue to highlight the growing threat posed by phishing emails and online scams, which often attempt to create a sense of urgency or fear in order to persuade people to share personal information or make payments.
DWFRS is advising residents to be cautious of any unexpected emails or messages, particularly those requesting personal details or directing recipients to unfamiliar websites.
The service is encouraging people to avoid clicking on links contained in suspicious communications and to discuss the issue with friends, relatives and neighbours, especially older or more vulnerable members of the community who may be more likely to be targeted by fraudsters.
Anyone who receives a suspected scam email can report it to the UK’s cyber security authorities via the National Cyber Security Centre’s phishing reporting service.
The fire service has also reminded residents that anyone wishing to arrange a genuine home fire safety visit should do so directly through official channels.
These visits provide advice on reducing fire risks in the home and ensuring households are better protected in the event of an emergency, with no charge for the service or any smoke alarms provided.
