HUNDREDS of residents in Ramsbottom have been targeted by bogus officials who are making cash by selling personal details to solicitors driven by compensation culture.

The fear is this could lead to the local authority being sued over housing repairs.

Managers at Bury Council's housing services team today revealed the conmen were operating throughout the area and passing themselves off as working for the council.

Complaints have been received from around 350 people in Ramsbottom and the surrounding area over the past couple of weeks, prompting an investigation by police and council officials.

The callers are claiming to be carrying out research for the Government with regard to setting up the borough's new arm's length management organisation (ALMO), Six Town Housing.

But the council is warning residents that no one is involved in such research and is advising homeowners to simply refuse to talk to the callers and avoid giving them any personal details.

Andrew Chicken, the council's head of repairs and maintenance, said: "These people are not working for the council, the ALMO or the Government and, as far as we can tell, are simply after residents' information to sell on to a disrepair claims solicitor.

"The tenants have a right to repair and if we fail in that duty then they can sue.

"Solicitors who specialise in the area are allegedly paying £25 for each name and address that is supplied to them from these people. The aim is to drum up business and sue the council.

"Around 350 people have been questioned by people wearing badges with the council's name in it.

"We urge tenants not to give out personal information to these people. If they do have any concerns or outstanding repairs they should call the council's Repairs Help Desk on 0161 253 5368 .

"We urge people to take care and take steps to establish the identity of callers. Anyone who is in any doubt should contact the council or the police."

Trading Standards are conducting an investigation into the matter.

Anyone seeking to verify the identity of a caller can check via Tenancy Services on 0161 253 6050 for houses in the north of the borough or 0161 253 6643 for houses in the south of the borough.