A "significant amount" of rubbish was dumped at a former car park, prompting a council warning.
Council officers in Sefton were recently called to a large amount of waste left in Kew, Southport. It is thought the rubbish had been dumped by people posing as waste removal operatives or gardening contractors who had gone door to door seeking out cash in hand jobs.
The council is reminding people of their responsibilities when hiring people to dispose of their household and garden waste, as it could lead to a hefty fine.
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While the offer of clearing rubbish for a small fee may be tempting, especially in the grips of the cost of living crisis, but many people are unaware that they could be held responsible if that waste is eventually dumped illegally. If rubbish is traced back to a resident, they could be slapped with a fine up to £400.
Peter Moore, head of public protection and highways at Sefton Council said: "We are incredibly disappointed to see the mess that has been left at Kew. The money spent on cleaning up this mess could have been spent elsewhere for the benefit of our communities.
"Many residents hire third parties to take away household or garden waste and large bulky items from their properties. Contractors will be aware of the rules and regulations that cover these types of waste disposal, but many people hiring them may not be.
"Even if the culprits for this act are not found, if the waste is traced back to a specific resident or business, they could be the ones facing the financial penalties."
The council said before booking a job residents should make sure the individual or firm is registered with the Environment Agency as an official waste carrier.
People should also obtain and keep the name and address and vehicle details of the individual or firm who dispose of their waste and ask for a proper invoice or receipt. It is also advisable to get more than one quote and expect to pay a reasonable fee.
The council says if a deal seems too good to be true, "it probably is".
Peter added: "When hiring a contractor, you can ask to see the license issued by the Environment Agency. Alternatively, you can call the agency directly on 03708 506 506 or check on their website.
"Make sure to keep hold of their details to show that you acted responsibly in case your rubbish is fly-tipped. If a deal is too good to be true, it probably is and, if fines are applied, could end up being an expensive mistake."
Anyone who sees an incident of fly-tipping can report it on the Sefton Council website, or by calling 0345 140 0845.
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