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Trading Standards Scotland - Mobility Aids Scam
Created: 21/03/2025
News/Events Category: General News
Trading Standards Scotland have highlighted a recent increase in scams related to the misselling of mobility aids such as mattresses, chairs, bed toppers, and massage pads. These scams particularly target older people.
One woman in her 80s was recently phoned by someone who said they worked for the NHS and offered to visit her at home to show her some new mattresses that would help with her health issues.
Two women then visited her house and looked at her existing mattress, telling her that the new one they had available would be much better for her. They had NHS lanyards on and appeared very friendly, although they stayed in her house for almost two hours and used pressure-selling tactics to wear her down.
Eventually, they produced a contract and asked the woman to sign it without giving her an opportunity to read through it, saying that her new mattress would be delivered within a few weeks. They asked her to pay for the mattress in full there and then, at a cost of over £3,000.
When the woman's son phoned the company to cancel the order and obtain a refund, he was told that the bed was already being made to the woman's specifications and could not be cancelled.
In many cases, although companies tell consumers the products they are purchasing are bespoke, the salesperson has not actually taken any measurements. Several consumers have been told that they will receive a custom-made product, but when it arrives it is clearly an ‘off-the-shelf’ size.
The best way to prevent mobility aids scams is to make sure that as many people as possible are aware of them. Please share this information with clients, older relatives or friends. Trading Standards Scotland have produced two resources which can be shared online or printed for those not online:
- Mobility Scams Q&A PDF (for families/agencies): www.tsscot.co.uk/Mobility_Aids_Scams_PDF_2024.pdf
- ScamShare PDF on Mobility Aids (for individuals): www.tsscot.co.uk/Spotlight-Mobility-Aids.pdf
How to Avoid
- Don't deal with cold callers who ask you to complete a health survey or offer a home visit from a mobility aids salesperson
If you are unsure whether a call from a healthcare organisation is legitimate, hang up and contact the organisation using a number found on their website or in an official directory
- If you have agreed to a home visit from a salesperson, you might want to ask a family member, friend or neighbour to be in the house with you during the appointment to provide a second opinion
Make it clear from the outset that you will not be making a decision on that day and that you will be taking time to think about any purchases
- Get quotes from reputable companies before agreeing to any purchases
You can find reputable companies who sell assisted living and mobility aids via www.livingmadeeasy.org.uk or www.bhta.com/new-member-listing
If you are worried about a relative or friend receiving cold calls, you can sign them up to the Telephone Preference Service for free by calling 034 070 0707 or online at www.tpsonline.org.uk.
Many home phone providers offer services (some of which are free) to block unwanted calls.
There is also a range of standalone devices that can be used to block/ monitor calls such as trueCall Secure call blockers.
Report mobility aids scams to Advice Direct Scotland on 0808 164 6000 or or via their ScamWatch tool.
If a cold caller refuses to leave your property, call Police Scotland on 101 or 999 in an emergency.
Find Out More- Living Made Easy (impartial advice and information website about daily living equipment, and other aspects of independent living): https://livingmadeeasy.org.uk/
- Age Scotland: https://www.agescotland.org.uk/
- British Healthcare Trades Association (consumer protection body): www.bhta.com/new-member-listing
- Advice on consumer rights: https://consumeradvice.scot/
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