Scammers are posing as Barking and Dagenham Council and promising people a 'right to buy' homes, the authority warns.

The council said the ongoing scam is seeing adverts posted on Snapchat purportedly advertising properties in the borough.

According to a council spokesperson, the spam messages ask prospective tenants to provide details including date of birth, National Insurance number, email and telephone number, current address, passport and bank details.

The scammers also tell prospective tenants that once they send the information, they will receive a call from the council with an offer to view the property, receive a tenancy agreement guaranteeing a ‘right to buy’ – and move in straightaway.

But council leader Darren Rodwell said: “Barking and Dagenham Council will not make such claims on social media and where we offer housing options, our residents know where to go and who to contact.

“I will advise people who are tempted by these outrageous and too good to be true offers to first check with the council or report to the police.”

For advice or to report a scam, people can contact Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133 or www.citizensadvice.org.uk and Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or www.actionfraud.police.uk/.