Nationwide Shut out Scammers campaign launched by Trading Standards Scotland and Police Scotland to empower consumers to avoid doorstep scams
As Scottish consumers continue to struggle with price increases and rising energy bills, Trading Standards Scotland and Police Scotland have launched the annual nationwide Shut out Scammers campaign.
The campaign aims to raise awareness of doorstep crime, the mis-selling of energy efficiency measures and other forms of financial harm to which consumers are susceptible. It aims to empower consumers rather than make them fearful and to encourage the reporting of scams.
Rogue traders and companies are attempting to exploit the rising costs of living and scam consumers by providing misleading information about products and services and posting misleading adverts and reviews online. In addition to more traditional doorstep scams reported during the spring and summer months, with rogue traders offering to carry out home maintenance, roof repairs, gardening work or services such as gutter cleaning or pressure washing, fraudsters have adapted their methods to take advantage of consumers’ anxieties and uncertainties around increasing bills.
In recent months there have been several reports from across Scotland of scams related to electrical safety, with cold callers posing as staff from the local council and asking to enter properties to check the safety of electrical appliances. They wrongly tell householders that their voltage level is dangerously high and often mention the Grenfell Tower disaster, saying there is a high risk that their property will go on fire unless they purchase an expensive voltage optimiser costing thousands of pounds. In most cases, these devices are not required and, even if they were, they would only cost around £300.
There has also been a recent increase in scams related to emergency locksmiths, with consumers who have phoned locksmiths in an emergency being quoted one price, then charged hundreds of pounds more once the work has been completed. In one case, a rogue locksmith even locked a consumer out of their own property until they agreed to pay the full amount requested.
The Shut out Scammers campaign will run throughout May. As part of the campaign, a scam awareness van will travel across Scotland throughout the summer, with local police and trading standards officers on hand to provide advice on avoiding doorstep scams. Resources such as no cold calling stickers and information leaflets will be available from the van, which will visit various community events and public spaces.
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 Detective Superintendent Neil McDonald, said:
“We understand the profound impact that doorstep crime has on victims, who are typically vulnerable members of communities and as such, we are proud to support our partners at Trading Standards for their Shut Out Scammers campaign.
“We are committed to working alongside all relevant agencies to address bogus workmen and rogue trader offences and bring those responsible to justice. If you believe a friend, family member, or neighbour is being targeted in such a manner, please contact police immediately so we can investigate.
“Our website has lots of useful information to stay safe from doorstep crime, which can be obtained by visiting www.scotland.police.uk.”