Trading Standards and Police to host online Facebook chat event on rogue doorstep callers

18th March 2015

Highland Council Trading Standards and Police Scotland Highland and Islands Division are to host a Facebook chat event on the topic of rogue traders who call at your door offering to carry out works on your home. The event will take place on Tuesday 24th March at 6pm.

The chat involves Trading Standards Team Leader Mark McGinty and Detective Inspector Brian Mackay who will be on hand to answer questions and provide advice on how you can best avoid being conned by the doorstep rogue and what to do should one come calling.

Mark McGinty Trading Standards Team Leader said "Highland Council Trading Standards have been involved in previous online chats and I look forward to being on hand to answer any questions anyone has in relation to traders calling at their homes and offering to carry out works. Quite often we find that the caller isn't a real trade's person, the work is of a poor standard or non-existent, and this can cause problems to the household."

"I would encourage the public to use this opportunity to ask any questions they have about doorstep callers and rogue traders. Even if they don't want to ask any specific questions, they may get some useful tips from just viewing the conversation thread."

Speaking on the subject, Detective Inspector Brian Mackay said: "We have previously hosted a series of successful chat events on our Divisional Facebook page. This is an excellent opportunity to engage with thousands of people within the communities across our dispersed region. Working with Highland Council Trading Standards on this subject is of benefit to us all".

The chat event is being virtually held on the Highland Council Facebook page between 18:00 and 19:30 hours on Tuesday 24th March.

 

Related Businesses

 

Related Articles

Today : Local Authority

Highland Council Housing Investment: £84 Million Programme Faces Delays as Building Costs Rise

Highland Council is forecasting expenditure of almost £75 million on its housing capital programme during 2026/27, against an original budget of nearly £84 million, as rising building costs, project delays and the availability of additional government funding influence its investment plans.   A Housing Revenue Account (HRA) capital monitoring report, covering expenditure to 31 August 2026, is being considered by the Housing and Property Committee on 4 November.  

Today : Local Authority

Highland Council's Housing and Property Plans: Progress Being Made, But Costs and Contractor Shortages Remain a Problem

Highland Council is making progress on a range of housing and property projects, but rising construction costs, shortages of contractors and uncertainty over future funding continue to threaten delivery.   A progress report covering the second quarter of 2026/27 is being considered by the Housing and Property Committee on 4 November.  

Today : Local Authority

Almost 2,500 Empty Homes in Highland: Can the Council Turn Empty Properties into Much-Needed Housing?

Highland Council is stepping up its efforts to bring long-term empty properties back into residential use, but early results from its £1 million Empty Homes Challenge Fund suggest that turning the policy into actual homes may prove more difficult than anticipated.   A report going before the Council's Housing and Property Committee on 4 November provides an update on the strategy introduced in November 2025.  

Today : Local Authority

Highland Housing: Homelessness Reaches Record Level Despite Good Council Performance

The number of people presenting as homeless in the Highlands has reached its highest level in three years, highlighting the growing pressure on housing services despite some encouraging performance figures from Highland Council.   A report covering the six months from April to September 2026 is being considered by the Council's Housing and Property Committee on 4 November.  

Yesterday : Local Authority

 
Highland's Growth Ambitions: Billions in Investment Promised, But Can the Numbers Really Add Up?

Highland Council has set out an ambitious vision for the economic future of the Highlands, with the possibility of attracting between £10 billion and £16 billion of public and private investment over the next 25 years.   On paper, it is an impressive prospect.  

Yesterday : Local Authority

Caithness Committee approves six Community Regeneration Fund applications - £237,155

The Caithness Area Committee which met (Monday 2 November 2026) has approved six applications submitted to the Community Regeneration Fund (CRF).   This approval securing significant investment to support local projects that will benefit communities across the north.  

31/10/2026 : Local Authority

Caithness at the Sharp End: Broadband, Buses and Public Services Under Pressure

From the loss of a direct bus link to Inverness to uncertainty over rural broadband, a difficult council budget and the future of community organisations, the past week has provided plenty for Caithness residents to think about.  But there have also been celebrations, local achievements and signs of community spirit.  

31/10/2026 : Local Authority

 
Highland Council Faces a £39.2 Million Budget Gap: Will Council Taxpayers and Services Pay the Price?

Highland Council is facing another difficult financial challenge, with councillors being told that a further £39.2 million in savings must be found over the next three years to balance the authority's finances.   The announcement, made at the full council meeting on 29 October 2026, represents a substantial deterioration in the financial outlook.  

30/10/2026 : Local Authority

 
Highland Council Visitor Levy Consultation In-person Events Announced

Residents, businesses, community groups and visitors are encouraged to continue to take part in a series of public engagement events to learn more about the proposed Highland Visitor Levy and how they can contribute to the statutory public consultation.   In addition to the online webinars held earlier in the process, a programme of in-person events will continue throughout November.  

30/10/2026 : Local Authority

The Highland Council agrees budget engagement programme

Members of the public, community groups, the business sector and young people will be invited to share their views on how The Highland Council balances its budget and plans spend over the next three years.   The Council needs to find £39.2 million of additional savings over the next three years to deliver a balanced financial plan, driven largely by the impact of rising costs and the ongoing impact of wider economic events.