Nationwide Shut Out Scammers Campaign Launched By Trading Standards Scotland And Police Scotland To Empower Consumers To Avoid Doorstep Scams

4th April 2024

This week we have launched the nationwide Shut Out Scammers campaign in partnership with Police Scotland.
As people continue to struggle with price increases and rising energy bills, rogue traders and companies are exploiting the cost of living crisis and are scamming consumers by providing misleading information about products and services and posting misleading reviews online.

The key aim of this year's campaign is to empower consumers and to raise awareness of how they can protect themselves from misleading information and rogue traders.

The most common doorstep in the last year have been related to:
'Free' roof/insulation surveys
Roof repairs
'Energy-saving' roof/wall coatings
Gardening/landscaping work
Telecoms scams
Driveway repairs

A Scam Awareness van will be travelling around the country over the next couple of months and there will be a variety of community engagement and information events to raise awareness of doorstep crime. Keep an eye on our social media channels to find out when the van will be in your area.

Avoid Doorstep Scams

Don't feel obliged to answer the door to a cold caller - it is your home and you should not let anyone in unless you feel comfortable.

Take time to think before making a decision. Any legitimate trader will be happy to return at a later date - you may want to ask a friend, neighbour or relative to be with you when they call back to give a second opinion.

Don't let an uninvited trader start work straight away. Never hand over any money without seeing proper paperwork and making sure that you understand the terms and conditions, including cancellation rights.

Get quotes from as many trusted companies as possible before having any work done in or around your property. Find traders who have been vetted by Trading Standards through a local approved trader scheme at www.approvedtrader.scot.

Verify that the person is genuine and take a note of the company's details. ID cards can be faked - close the door and, rather than phoning the number on the trader's ID card, look up the company’s number on their official website or in an official phone directory to check their identity. Legitimate traders will be happy to wait while you perform these checks.

Report any suspicious behaviour to Police Scotland on 101 or 999 in an emergency. If you have concerns about a purchase that you have made, contact Advice Direct Scotland on 0808 164 6000 or via scamwatch.scot

Councillor Maureen Chalmers, Chair of Trading Standards Scotland said:

"It is more important than ever to protect consumers from scammers and rogue traders who are adapting their methods to changing circumstances.
“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 who may be vulnerable and to report any suspicious behaviour to Police Scotland."

Police Scotland’s Assistant Chief Constable, Tim Mairs, said:

“The Shut-Out Scammers campaign is extremely important for raising awareness of doorstep crime and providing communities with useful crime prevention advice. We are delighted to support this initiative for 2024.
“Doorstep criminals frequently prey on vulnerable individuals, using a range of tactics aimed at pressurising victims to part with money, or allow entry to their properties.
“We urge the public to report any potential bogus workmen or rogue trader activity they suspect is taking place in their area so that we can investigate and bring offenders to justice.
“Anyone looking for information to help prevent doorstep crime can visit the Police Scotland website at www.scotland.police.uk.”

Conor Forbes, director of Business Development an Policy for Advice Direct Scotland said: “At consumeradvice.scot, our recent data reveals a concerning trend: a significant 22% uptick in financial losses suffered by Scottish consumers due to scams within the past year.
Particularly alarming is the prevalence of doorstep scams, an issue reflected in the inquiries we receive. To safeguard against such fraudulent activities, we strongly advocate for the utilisation of reputable traders when undertaking home renovations.
Additionally, in light of the financial strain caused by escalating energy and grocery costs over the past 18 months, opportunistic rogue traders and scammers have intensified their efforts. It is imperative for Scottish consumers to exercise heightened caution when dealing with cold callers and to prioritise the use of trusted traders for any home-related services.

“At consumeradvice.scot, our recent data reveals a concerning trend: a significant 22% uptick in financial losses suffered by Scottish consumers due to scams within the past year.
Particularly alarming is the prevalence of doorstep scams, an issue reflected in the inquiries we receive. To safeguard against such fraudulent activities, we strongly advocate for the utilisation of reputable traders when undertaking home renovations.
Additionally, in light of the financial strain caused by escalating energy and grocery costs over the past 18 months, opportunistic rogue traders and scammers have intensified their efforts. It is imperative for Scottish consumers to exercise heightened caution when dealing with cold callers and to prioritise the use of trusted traders for any home-related services.
This Shut our Scammers campaign is so important to highlight the methods carried out by unscrupulous traders.”

Jill Rosie, Assistant Director of statutory consumer body Consumer Scotland, said: “It is vital members of the public are protected from the activities of rogue traders, particularly at a time when consumers are struggling with cost of living pressures.
“That is why Consumer Scotland is providing financial support to ensure the nationwide Shut Out Scammers campaign will reach as many consumers as possible, raising awareness of doorstep crime, the mis-selling of energy efficiency measures and other forms of financial harm”

Find out More
Press Release: www.tsscot.co.uk/shut-out-scammers-2024
TSS Website: www.tsscot.co.uk/priority-areas/doorstep-scammers
Find traders who have been vetted and approved by local Trading Standards officers: www.approvedtrader.scot
Campaign Resources for partner organisations: www.tsscot.co.uk/shut-out-scammers-resources