Home Improvement Scams Rising

For one in four UK adults, losing just £100 to a scam now would tip them into serious financial crisis, according to research released by National Trading Standards – which has previously warned that scams (including home improvement fraud) are on the rise.

National Trading Standards (NTS) is highlighting the threats as criminals exploit cost-of-living fears particularly with energy scam phone calls rising 85% in a month.

Although losing any amount of money to a scam today would hurt 70% of people more than it would have done a year ago, a loss of just £250 would tip 37% into crisis, with 48% unable to cope with a loss of £500.

 

Doorstep scammers

NTS (in its annual strategic assessment on the emerging threats for consumers and businesses) is warning that millions more people are now vulnerable to an incoming tidal wave of scams where criminals target victims on the doorstep, by phone, post or online, as well as being lured into the murky world of counterfeiters.

 

Green home scams

NTS is also braced for a spike in ‘green’ home improvement scams, with Citizens Advice seeing an 18% rise in complaints year-on-year, alongside a 28% increase in doorstep crime complaints. NTS analysis of the incoming scam calls blocked by almost 10,000 call-blockers installed in UK homes, shows a staggering 85% increase from August to September alone in scam calls offering grants for solar panels, loft insulation, spray foam, boiler replacement – and double or triple glazing. 

 

Energy drivers

To reduce their bills, 64% of people are either currently making their home more energy efficient or considering doing so. Whilst these measures can lead to vital savings if handled properly, in the wrong hands they can be disastrous. NTS currently has five energy-related cases awaiting trial, including a firm that conned victims into paying for useless external invisible spray wall coatings, falsely claiming they would reduce energy bills, cure damp and reduce condensation.

 

Home improvement criminals

With a third of people saying they have been targeted by home improvement criminals, NTS warns that those eligible for government grants will be particularly susceptible to criminals claiming to be from accredited government support schemes. When asked how they would find a firm to work on their home, worryingly, 12% would respond to an online advert, 9% would reply to an advert on social media, 9% would respond to a leaflet through the letter box and 4% would hire a firm that knocked on the door – all classic tactics used by criminals. 

 

 “Seventy per cent of people told us they are more stressed about money than they were a year ago. This means people are more likely to be in ‘panic mode’ when making financial decisions – and this is what we see criminals capitalising on.”

– Lord Michael Bichard 

Chair, National Trading Standards

 

Rising fraud

“Scams have always taken a huge toll on victims but now more than ever, people simply cannot afford to be ripped off,” continues Lord Bichard. “With living costs rising across the board, we are anticipating a rise in doorstep and cold-calling crime, energy-related fraud and mass marketing scams as criminals target people trying to reduce their bills or take advantage of government support.”

 

Won’t get away with it

Lord Bichard adds: “My message to the criminals exploiting people's money worries is that they will not get away with it. Our teams are working relentlessly to identify and bring them to justice and I would urge the public to help us by reporting scams to Action Fraud or Citizens Advice."

 

Friends Against Scams

The NTS scam-fighting website Friends Against Scams, which provides free online training to empower people to take a stand against scams, will include a dedicated section on the cost-of-living crisis, bringing together advice and resources as well as updates on the latest scams to watch out for.

 

Picture: Rogue Traders are cashing in on victims as the cost-of-living crisis continues including deploying double-glazing scams.

www.actionfraud.police.uk

www.citizensadvice.org.uk

Article written by Cathryn Ellis
09th November 2022

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