East Renfrewshire Council has now launched a Consumer Confidence Building which aims to spot fake traders by supporting reputable home improvement businesses.
An estimated £9 billion is lost to fraud in the UK annually, with doorstep fraud a major contributing factor.
Residents are targeted by organized criminals who are a “cold call” and seek to exploit the most vulnerable by pressuring them into substandard roofing, walkways and landscaping work.
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Now managed by Trading Standards, this project will include routine preventive patrols to support good practice and raise awareness of the Board’s Trusted Trader scheme.
Suspicious activity will be reported to Police Scotland and Trade Standards Enforcement Officers for investigation, with the results of the project shared with SCOTSS (The Society of Chief Trade Standards Officers) who have part-funded the initiative.
Councilor Owen O’Donnell, Chairman of East Renfrewshire Council, said: “Many people fear being scammed, with the methods used by scammers now becoming more convincing, so I am delighted to be launching this vital project to support our residents and our real business and show that East Renfrewshire is a no-go area for scammers.”
The best way to avoid problems with offline callers at your doorstep is to say no. Only deal with proven traders.
Take your time to make a decision and don’t be pressured.
Follow the Trading Standards guidance by reading the Financial Damage Prevention Toolkit on the council website or by picking up a copy of the home trust package from the council premises at Eastwood HQ or Barrhead.
Genuine traders are actively encouraged to sign up to the East Renfrewshire Trusted system which is backed by Trading Standards and Police Scotland.
More than half of local authorities in Scotland operate approved trader schemes through their Trade Standards services.
Residents can say no to uninvited callers by picking up a No Cold Calling sticker and displaying it on their door.
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Posters are available for pickup at council buildings at Eastwood HQ or Barrhead and local libraries.
Report potential Trade Standards scams via Advice Direct Scotland by visiting: consumeradvice.scot or calling 0808 164 6000.
If you feel threatened by an accident, call Police Scotland 101 or 999 in an emergency.
Residents can call the number and report suspicious callers on 0800 013 0076.
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