Tenants are being warned of scam callers and suspicious calls posing to be Watford Community Housing.

Watford Community Housing says there has been a “sharp increase” of scam callers targeting some of their tenants since the coronavirus lockdown and the housing association asks for customers to remain vigilant.

In a tweet, the housing association warned that some scam callers have been targeting tenants and claiming they require maintenance work on their homes.

This is believed to be one of several different scam calls that tenants have received.

A spokesperson from Watford Community Housing said: “We know that there has been a sharp increase in telephone scams throughout the coronavirus crisis and we have had reports from customers about a variety of suspicious phone calls over the last few days.

“These calls are not all the same and it is unclear what information the callers are using, what their aims are, or whether this is linked to the data incident that occurred in March.

“We are taking these reports extremely seriously and have been in contact with the Information Commissioner’s Office to ask them to investigate whether any unlawful activity has occurred.”

Earlier in March this year, Watford Community Housing accidentally leaked an email to all tenants with a spreadsheet that contained personal information of the housing associations’ 3,545 tenants - but there are no indications that this is necessarily linked with the recent scam calls.

Watford Community Housing said that risk of identity of financial fraud from the leak was low – but one tenant claims they were a victim of fraud since the leak.

The housing association continued: “We would like to reiterate that no financial information was released during the data incident, so the financial risk to customers remains low.

“To offer added protection and peace of mind for our customers, we have also offered free cyber security services to everyone affected and these remain available to anyone who has concerns. Details of the support and advice we’re offering can be found in the dedicated FAQs on our website at wcht.org.uk.”

Watford Community Housing advises that customers do not hand out personal information to anyone who calls them.

They instead urge people to be cautious and if in doubt to hang up a call and immediately call Watford Community Housing on 0800 218 2247 to report the call.

Tenants are also recommended to report suspicious calls to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 and the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) here.