Clare Adamson MSP for Motherwell and Wishaw is urging constituents to be wary of scams involving free insulation foam under schemes falsely claimed to be funded by Government.
Trading Standards Scotland (TSS) advises that cold callers are misleading Scottish homeowners about spray foam insulation. At the start of 2024, TSS issued a warning about spray foam insulation, following a 42% rise in scams related to the product in 2023, with Scottish homeowners losing a total of £500,000 to insulation scams in 2023 alone.
Hundreds of consumers had been cold called and offered a ‘free’ loft survey. Those who agreed subsequently discovered that the ‘surveyors’ were in fact salespeople who tried to pressure them into buying spray foam insulation.
Ms Adamson said the best advice is to avoid dealing with cold callers. If somebody phones or knocks on your door unexpectedly, do not provide any details and do not arrange a house visit. Do not accept information from a cold caller without doing independent research and be particularly wary if they tell you that there are grants or funding schemes available.
The MSP for Motherwell and Wishaw said:
“There have been multiple reports of different fraudulent schemes offering to install free spray foam insulations with cold callers.
“Salespeople are pressuring homeowners to take out loans to cover enormous up-front costs but claiming that these costs will be later be covered by a Government funding scheme.
“Now, some consumers who were misled into having spray foam insulation installed in their properties are even being contacted by companies who say they are working in partnership with trading standards or Audit Scotland to assess or remove the insulation.
“To protect yourself from these scams, do not arrange an appointment with anyone who knocks on your door or phones you unexpectantly. Always conduct independent research on a company or service before accepting there is funding available.
“Sadly, we are seeing more and more of these types of scams. Be vigilant to cold calls, stick to trusted traders, and do not hand over any details without doing your research. It is also important to look after friends, loves ones, neighbours, or anyone you know who is isolated and may be vulnerable to such scams.”
If you are looking to receive funding and grants to make your home more energy efficient:
Home Energy Scotland – Services are funded by the Scottish Government providing free and impartial advice.
Call: 0808 808 2282
Visit: www.homeenergyscotland.org
If you have been a victim of a scam, or know someone who has, report it to Advice Direct Scotland.
Call: 0808 164 6000
Visit: www.consumeradvice.scot
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