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Trading Standards Scotland - Scam roofing companies impersonating local councils
Created: 21/03/2025
News/Events Category: General News
Trading Standards Scotland is calling to attention doorstep scammers that claim to work for or on behalf of the local council or housing association. They may ask to enter the property to carry out 'urgent' maintenance or repairs, or offer to carry out maintenance or repair work for a reduced cost.
In one recent case, a cold caller visited a couple and said his company had a contract with the local council to carry out roof surveys and 'roof coating and restoration' services. He told them the council would provide some funding for any work carried out.
The couple allowed him to go onto their roof, after which he quoted a price of almost £5,000 to fix damaged tiles and recoat the roof. However, he said this could be reduced to £2,000 once the council funding was approved.
The couple felt suspicious as they weren't provided with any paperwork to fill out to obtain council funding. They contacted the council, who confirmed that they were not working with the company in question.
There have also been reports of cold callers going from door to door and offering to clean roofs 'free of charge', saying that they work for the local council.
Residents who asked the cold callers to clean their roof were subsequently told that they had discovered damaged tiles or gutters. They offered to repair these for a 'reasonable price'.
However, one resident asked their son to check the roof before allowing the cold callers to carry out any work - he did not find any evidence of damage.
How to AvoidIf someone knocks at your door and says they are working for or with the local council, ask them to wait and close the door while you phone the council to verify their identity. Genuine callers will be happy to wait while you do this.
Most councils will send letters to residents if they are going to be working in their area. They will only attend properties to carry out checks by pre-arranged appointment.
Rather than dealing with cold callers, find traders who have been vetted through a national or local authority approved trader scheme at approvedtrader.scot
Sign up for Neighbourhood Watch Scotland Alerts to stay up to date with what is going on in your community: www.neighbourhoodwatchscotland.co.uk
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
- ScamShare PDF on Council Impersonation Scams: www.tsscot.co.uk/Spotlight-Council-Impersonation.pdf
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