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Following Storm Amy there is likely to be an increase in roofing and property maintenance scams, with cold callers knocking on doors and offering to repair damage on the spot, providing high quotes for repair work.

If your property needs repair or maintenance work carried out, make sure you find the right trader.

Find Trusted Traders
If you're thinking of having work done to your property, make sure you find the right trader:
TrustMark is the Government Endorsed Quality Scheme - businesses registered with them have been vetted to meet required standards and have made a commitment to good customer service:
www.trustmark.org.uk/find-a-tradesman
 
Businesses that are part of the CTSI's Approved Code scheme have been vetted and have a commitment to consumer protection and raising standards:
www.tradingstandards.uk/consumer-help/find-an-approved-code-business
 
Find members of trade associations such as the Federation of Master Builders via the Trade Association Forum:
www.taforum.org/membership/member-directory
 
Competent person schemes are a way for tradespeople to prove their ability to carry out certain work to required standards, instead of you applying for building regulations approval. Schemes have insurance-backed warranties and complaints procedures if there’s a problem with the work:
www.competentperson.co.uk
 
All of the businesses listed on the Buy With Confidence website have been fully checked and vetted by a local authority Trading Standards service:
www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk
 
Find traders who have been approved by local council trading standards via Scotland's Approved Trader Directory:
www.approvedtrader.scot
 
Find certified installers of renewables systems in Scotland via the Renewables Installer Finder:
installerfinder.energysavingtrust.org.uk
 
Find members of the Renewable Energy Consumer Code, who have agreed to abide by the Consumer Code. This covers all the factors that contribute to a high standard of consumer service, before, during and after a contract is agreed:
www.recc.org.uk/scheme/members
 
The Microgeneration Certification Scheme certifies, quality assures and provides consumer protection for microgeneration installations and installers. These consist of small scale renewable electricity technologies such as solar PV, biomass, wind, heat pumps and heat products:
https://mcscertified.com

How to Avoid Scams
Before having any work done in or around your property, get quotes from as many trusted companies as possible.

Any unsolicited trader who offers to carry out work on your property must give you their business name and address.
Don't agree to let a cold caller start work straight away - do plenty of research into their company and, if something doesn’t look right, don’t deal with them.

Reporting Issues
If you believe that a trader has used misleading, aggressive or banned practices, you may be entitled to receive a refund or to cancel the contract. If the purchase was made over 90 days ago, you may be entitled to receive a discount.

If you want to report a trader/company to trading standards, if you are unsure about your consumer rights or if you want to check whether you may be entitled to a refund/discount, or what to do next, contact Advice Direct Scotland. Their free consumer service is available from 9am-5pm Monday-Friday by calling 0808 164 6000. You can also report traders to Trading Standards by visiting https://scamwatch.scot

Report any suspicious behaviour to Police Scotland on 101 or 999 in an emergency.

Find out more
Police Scotland: www.scotland.police.uk/doorstep-crime-and-bogus-callers
Trading Standards Scotland: www.tsscot.co.uk/priority-areas/doorstep-scammers

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