Trading Standards Scotland (TSS) has urged vigilance amid a surge in doorstep scams, mis-sold services, and botched household repairs.
The organisation has launched a nationwide ‘Shut out Scammers’ campaign with Police Scotland, designed to raise awareness about the risks of accepting work offered by cold callers.
Experts said that fraudsters are adapting their tactics to exploit the cost-of-living crisis, including making bogus claims to be working on behalf of the government with fake subsidy offers.
Criminals often employ online and social media ads featuring misleading information and reviews.
The warning follows increasing report of incomplete or unsatisfactory roofing, gardening, or driveway work.
Figures from TSS show that between October last year and March this year, a total of £19,330 was lost by six households across Inverclyde and Renfrewshire.
The average amount lost was £3,222.
In each case, rogue traders had cold called the occupiers and offered to carry out work related to roofing, gardening or driveways.
Shocking examples from around the country include a couple who paid builders £20,000 to work on their roof, only for the firm to abandon the project after three days.
Similarly, an elderly man in his 80s was nearly swindled out of £6,800 for driveway repairs.
TSS stressed the importance of conducting thorough research into companies before agreeing to any work.
Householders should check at least three different review sites and obtain more than one quote for a piece of work.
Consumers are advised against dealing with cold callers and encouraged to seek reputable local traders, with vetted options available on the Society of Chief Officers of Trading Standards in Scotland (SCOTSS) approved trader portal at www.approvedtrader.scot.
Anyone caught out by a scam or suspicious activity should report it using the national advice service Advice Direct Scotland’s tool at www.consumeradvice.scot or contact 0808 164 6000 for support.
Victims of fraud should report it to Police Scotland on 101, or 999 in an emergency.
As part of the national campaign, a scam awareness van has been visiting different parts of Inverclyde.
Police and trading standards officers were on hand to provide advice on avoiding doorstep scams, along with resources such as ‘no cold calling’ stickers and information leaflets.
Councillor Maureen Chalmers, chair of Trading Standards Scotland’s governance board, said: “Scammers are constantly adapting their tactics to take advantage of people, especially when many households in Inverclyde are struggling to make ends meet with the cost-of-living crisis.
“So, it is more important than ever to remain vigilant and be on your guard. With our campaign and van, we aim to equip people with the tools and confidence to spot scams effectively.
“We urge consumers not to deal with cold callers and to seek local traders who have been vetted by Trading Standards and who have made a commitment to treat customers fairly via approved trader schemes.
“We are also asking people to look out for family members, friends, and neighbours and to report any suspicious behaviour to stop the scammers in their tracks.”
