Aberdeenshire residents urged to be vigilant over doorstep scams

Trading Standards Scotland (TSS) is urging vigilance in the wake of a surge in doorstep scams, mis-sold services, and shoddy household repairs.

More than £4000 a day is being lost across the country to rogue traders, new figures have revealed.

The findings follow the organisation’s nationwide Shut Out Scammers campaign, run in conjunction with Police Scotland and councils, which highlighted the risks of accepting work from cold callers.

Shocking cases include an Aberdeen resident pressured into handing over £17,000 for unnecessary work.

Experts warn that fraudsters are adapting their tactics to exploit the cost of living crisis, using bogus claims of government subsidies or partnerships with local authorities.

Criminals are also using online and social media ads with misleading information and fake reviews to lure new victims.

With winter approaching, TSS is warning that roofing scams are likely to become even more common in the coming weeks and has published new guidance for households.

Figures from the organisation show that between January and June this year, at least £798,951 was lost to rogue traders by 368 households, an average loss of £2171 each or £4400 per day.

Cold callers visited several properties across Aberdeenshire, offering a “thermal roof coating” and claiming it would save householders hundreds of pounds on their energy bills. They implied they were working on behalf of the local council.

One couple agreed to have their roof cleaned and coated for around £6000, paying a £1000 deposit. The traders power-washed the roof and then left the property, supposedly to get more materials, but did not return.

TSS stressed the importance of conducting thorough research into companies before agreeing to any work.

It added that if someone claims to be working for or with a local council, householders should ask them to wait outside and close the door while they call the council to verify their identity.

Customers should also 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

Before agreeing to any roof work, request photo and video evidence of any problems and check that contractors have proper insurance.

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.

TSS is also urging people to check in with their older relatives to ensure that that they are aware of these scams.

Between April and August, a scam awareness campaign toured the country, with police and trading standards officers providing advice on avoiding doorstep scams.

Councillor Maureen Chalmers, chairwoman of Trading Standards Scotland’s governance board, said: “Unfortunately, we have seen people across Scotland losing, on average, more than £4000 a day to doorstep scammers since the start of the year.

“We expect this trend to continue as autumn and winter approach, especially as people begin to think about the state of their roofs and other home repairs.

“Scammers are constantly adapting their tactics, particularly as many households struggle with the cost of living crisis.

“Rogue traders often imply that urgent work is needed to pressure people into making hasty decisions, so it is more important than ever to remain vigilant and stay on your guard.

“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.

“Do plenty of research into companies before agreeing to any work being undertaken, remembering that online adverts can be misleading and that reviews can be faked.

“It is advisable to check at least three different review sites and to get more than one quote for a piece of work.

“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.”