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Trading Standards Scotland
30/01/25
Welcome to the latest edition of the Scam Share bulletin.
Stay Scam Aware and please keep sharing any relevant information in this bulletin with friends and family.

Trading Standards Scotland is looking for examples of scams to feature in upcoming press activity. If you have experienced a doorstep scam or had issues with a rogue trader that you dealt with following a cold call, please fill out this form. (There is no requirement to provide any personal or identifying details)
Complete the form at https://forms.office.com/e/diWEVbQg0Q
In This Issue:
Recently Reported Scams Ongoing Scams / Campaigns Links to Further Information / Resources
Glossary
Where to Report Scams
Scams
In Scotland, report all scams to Advice Direct Scotland by calling 0808 164 6000 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm) or online at www.consumeradvice.scot

Fraud
If you have been the victim of fraud, report it to Police Scotland on 101 or 999 in an emergency. 

Suspicious Emails
You can forward suspicious emails to report@phishing.gov.uk and send links from websites which you think are trying to scam the public to the National Cyber Security Centre's scam website reporting service at www.ncsc.gov.uk/section/about-this-website/report-scam-website

Suspicious Text Messages
If you receive a suspicious text message you can forward it to 7726. The free-of-charge ‘7726’ service enables your provider to investigate and take action if malicious content is found.
Recently Reported Scams
Voltage Optimiser Scams
The Scam
There has been a recent rise in scams related to electrical voltage checks. The scam begins with a cold call from a company offering to carry out a 'free' voltage check.
The caller may imply that they are working on behalf of the government or the electricity network and that they are carrying out similar assessments across the country.

In some cases they say they need to check the voltage level for fire safety, while other callers say they need to check the property is receiving the correct amount of current from the national grid.

If the householder agrees to arrange to have a survey carried out, a salesperson then visits their property and appears to inspect the electricity meter and sockets. There have been several cases where the salesperson mentions the Grenfell Tower disaster, which they say was caused by an electrical fault. They then tell the householder that their voltage levels are dangerously high and that they will need to fit a voltage regulator/optimiser to reduce the level.

They initially quote a price of over £3,000, but often offer to reduce this if the regulator is fitted on that day. They may say that some of the costs will be covered by a government grant.

One couple felt worried about the fire risk mentioned by the salesperson and agreed to have a voltage regulator fitted the following day. Before the installer arrived, they decided to seek a second opinion and phoned a local and trusted electrician. He told them the salesperson's claims were untrue and that the voltage levels in their property were normal and safe. He also mentioned that the cost of a voltage optimiser/regulator is usually under £300.
They cancelled the installation and reported the scam.

How to Avoid
If you receive an unexpected call offering a 'free' electrical survey or voltage check, don't agree to make an appointment for a salesperson to visit your property.

If you are concerned about voltage levels in your property, find a registered electrician in Scotland at www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/find-an-electrician/scotland


You can also find electricians who have been vetted through a national or local authority approved trader scheme at approvedtrader.scot

Rogue traders often imply that urgent work is required in order to pressure householders into making a decision quickly. Always take time to think before making a decision - don't agree to make any payments for goods or services on the spot.
Don't agree to let a cold caller start work straight away - do plenty of research into their company and, if something doesn’t look right, don’t deal with them.

Report scams to Advice Direct Scotland on 0808 164 6000 or via scamwatch.scot.
 
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Locksmith Scams
The Scam
In the last year there has been a huge rise in scams related to locksmiths across Scotland. Consumers who have phoned locksmiths in an emergency have been quoted one price, then charged hundreds of pounds more once the work has been completed.
One woman was locked out of her house and called a company she found via a search engine. She was initially quoted a price of £180; however, once the locksmith had completed the work, he said the price had gone up to £600. He didn't provide a breakdown of costs or an invoice, but she felt that she had no option but to pay the full amount due to his aggressive manner.
She later tried to contact the company to obtain an invoice using the details provided on their website, but they did not answer any calls or emails.

In another case, a couple called an emergency locksmith who claimed on their website that they did not charge callout fees. However, they charged £150 for turning up, then a further £300 to fix a lock. The couple reluctantly paid the full amount, but later sought a second opinion from another locksmith, who said the job should only have cost £100.

How to Avoid
If you need a locksmith in an emergency, be wary of online adverts which appear near the top of search results, particularly if they are sponsored and/or offer unrealistically low prices.

Find locksmiths who have been vetted through a national or local authority approved trader scheme at approvedtrader.scot


You can find locksmiths who are licensed and approved by the Master Locksmiths' Association (MLA) at www.locksmiths.co.uk/

The MLA have some useful tips to avoid rogue locksmiths:
  • Be wary of adverts on search engines (especially those that say 'sponsored') that promise unrealistically cheap prices, such as £39. The MLA has a locksmith price guide that gives an idea of typical prices for common jobs: www.locksmiths.co.uk/faq/locksmith-prices
     
  • Many rogue locksmiths make false claims about their accreditations or say they are 'police-approved'. The police are unlikely to approve or recommend individual locksmiths.
    Before using a locksmith check that they have been vetted and approved either via approvedtrader.scot or www.locksmiths.co.uk
     
  • Be suspicious if a locksmith is very vague about price details over the phone or if they keep mentioning unrealistically low rates
     
  • Be suspicious if the caller cannot give you the name of the locksmith who will be carrying out the work. This may indicate that it is a call centre and that they are subcontracting work
Where possible pay for services using a credit card rather than debit card or bank transfer. This will offer you more protection if something goes wrong.

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Cryptocurrency Scams - AI

The Scam
As AI technology continues to evolve, there is a rising number of cryptocurrency investment scams.
Between January and June last year, over £1.1million was lost to investment scams in Scotland, with an average of almost £18,000 being lost by each consumer affected.

48% of these scams began online via scam websites or social media, with 20% involving fraudulent adverts which use the images of celebrities or well-known individuals such as Martin Lewis or Elon Musk to promote cryptocurrency investments.

These adverts then link to professional-looking websites where consumers are persuaded to invest with the fraudster firm using cryptocurrencies or traditional currencies.

Once they have entered their details on the website, they are often contacted by someone posing as a 'financial advisor' who encourages them to make a small initial investment. After a few days, they will be told that their investment is growing and be encouraged to send more money. When they try to access their investment, the scammer cuts off all contact with them.

In some cases, the scammer then calls the consumer, this time posing as a company who is investigating the investment scam. They promise to reclaim the money lost, but ask for a fee up-front. Again, once the consumer has paid this the scammer cuts off contact with them.

How to Avoid
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has warned that most firms advertising and selling investments in cryptoassets are not authorised by them.

Before making any investment, check that the company is regulated by the FCA
at register.fca.org.uk/s/

Be wary of social media adverts or messages offering huge returns for a small initial payment. Be suspicious if you are contacted via phone, email or social media by someone you don't know about an investment opportunity. Never respond to any requests to send money from someone you don't know.

Do plenty of research before considering buying cryptocurrency, starting with online searches for background, ownership, reports and reviews on the company behind the product or service.

Don't be rushed into making a decision about an investment - seek advice from someone you trust or from a financial advisor accredited by the FCA.

Never follow instructions from a cold caller to download an app or software which would allow them to access your computer remotely.

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Telecare Scams
The Scam
There have been more reports of scammers cold calling those who use a telecare community alarm. West Lothian Council has recently warned that scammers are targeting local residents and asking for payments for a new digital alarm.
The Council are upgrading their Telecare alarms to new digital models, but this is being done free of charge.
There have been other cases where a scammer says a telecare user's system is going to be upgraded and requests their bank details to pay for this.

Other cold callers have claimed to be from a company selling personal alarm packages and told the resident that their current alarm will be closing.They are encouraged to act quickly to ensure the alarm stays active and to provide their personal and payment details over the phone.

How to Avoid
If in doubt about the legitimacy of a call about telecare services, hang up, clear the line and call the alarm provider using a publicly listed number.

If you live in West Lothian and are unsure if call regarding your Telecare Service is genuine, you can press your pendant and speak to West Lothian Careline or telephone them on 0330 678 2396 for reassurance


Local authorities will NEVER ask for bank details in an unsolicited phone call. 
Never provide any personal or financial details to a cold caller, even if they already appear to have some of your information.

Contact your bank immediately if you think you may have given your account details to a scammer.

If you are worried about an older relative, 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.

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Ongoing Scams / Campaigns
Storm Damage: Find Trusted Traders
If your property was damaged in recent stormy weather, don't trust cold callers who offer to repair the damage on the spot or online adverts offering special deals and advertising 5-star reviews.
You can find local businesses and traders who have been vetted by Trading Standards on the Approved Trader portal at approvedtrader.scot
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has published a set of useful tips to help people choose a trader recommendation site that safely connects them to a trustworthy trader and protects them if things go wrong.

There are trader platforms and directories that make claims or call their members trusted or approved members with little or no vetting. By using a council-backed scheme customers can avoid rogue traders, minimise risk, and have access to an official Trading Standards complaints process that is backed by Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) if things don't go as expected.

All the official council-backed Trusted Trader scheme members are vetted by Trading Standards, ensuring that customers can choose a trader with confidence.

What to Consider When Using Trader Recommendation Sites
The following tips have been compiled by the CMA:
  • Don’t rely solely on claims of ‘trustworthiness’ from the trader recommendation site
    Many use terms like ‘trusted’, ‘reliable’, or ‘expert’ to describe their listed traders. However, it’s important to check exactly what the site does to verify these claims. There should be clear information on their website, but if you have any further questions contact the trader recommendation site to ask about their vetting process
     
  • Choose a trader recommendation site that verifies trader details
    Some sites may only rely on traders’ self-reported information. To protect yourself, look for a site that goes beyond self-assessment and has an effective vetting process which involves things like verifying the trader’s identity, experience, and qualifications; ensuring the trader has the necessary licenses, insurance, and certifications for tasks such as electrical work or gas installation; and providing information about how frequently they check traders’ credentials and qualifications (for example, annually or when concerns arise).
    If available, check any information on the site about how many traders fail these checks or are refused membership.
     
  • Make sure the trader recommendation site has a strong complaints process
    Before choosing a site to use, make sure it has a complaints procedure which appears to be easy to use. Look for details about how complaints are handled, including whether the process is straightforward and whether the trader recommendation site commits to a timely response to complaints.
    Check if the site offers support in resolving disputes or provides alternative dispute resolution services if issues do arise with a trader.
     
  • Understand how the trader recommendation site monitors traders and sanctions poor performance
    A site should continuously monitor the performance of listed traders. Look for sites that have systems in place to identify traders with poor performance, such as regular reviews of customer feedback or alerts for repeated complaints and that act promptly when issues arise, including suspending or removing traders who fall short of required standards.
    If available, check any information on the site about how many traders were suspended or removed due to poor performance or misconduct.
     
  • Be cautious about online reviews
    If the trader recommendation site includes customer reviews, check what steps they take to make sure reviews are genuine. This could include checking to see if reviews are flagged as being from a verified customer or whether the site verifies reviews and has processes to remove fake or misleading feedback.
     
  • Compare traders before deciding
    Don’t rush into selecting a trader based on the first recommendation you find. Review and compare several options, pay attention to important details like experience, qualifications, certifications and verified customer reviews. You can also cross-check information on other sites, such as trade associations or independent review platforms, to ensure you’re making an informed decision.
Know your consumer rights
Remember you have important legal rights and should be treated fairly. For example, a trader must act with reasonable care and skill when carrying out building or home improvement work.
You also have cancellation rights depending on the circumstances in which you agreed a contract. For example, if you sign a contract in your home or online you can cancel for any reason, up to 14 days before the work begins.

Find out more about your rights or report issues with traders to Advice Direct Scotland on 0808 164 6000 or visit https://consumeradvice.scot

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Self Assessment Scams
The Scam
HMRC is warning customers to be wary of scam emails, texts and phone calls in the run up to the Self Assessment deadline on 31st January.
HMRC received over 150,000 scam referrals last year, over half of which were offering bogus tax rebates.
There was a 16.7% increase in all scam referrals to HMRC from November 2023 - October 2024 compared to the previous year. 

Some of the most common scam messages:
  • offer a tax rebate
  • ask you to click on a link to update your records, saying that they're out of date
  • claim that your National Insurance number has been used fraudulently
  •  threaten immediate arrest for tax evasion
How to Avoid
HMRC will never leave voicemails threatening legal action or arrest, or ask for personal or financial information over text message – only fraudsters and criminals will do that.

They will not email, text or phone to tell you that you are due a refund or ask you to request a refund. Anyone who is due a refund from HMRC can claim it via their online HMRC account or the free and secure HMRC app.


You should not click on links, provide any details or make any payments to a cold caller.

If you are unsure if a message from HMRC is genuine, check their website (www.gov.uk/government/collections/check-a-list-of-genuine-hmrc-contacts) before clicking on any links or providing any details.

Links in any genuine letters or emails from them will lead to the www.gov.uk website. If a link includes the word 'gov' but ends in .co.uk it is likely to be fake.

Forward details of suspicious emails to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk, forward suspicious text messages to 60599 or report suspicious phone calls online: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-revenue-customs/contact/reporting-fraudulent-emails

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Find More Information / Resources
General Advice on Avoiding Scams
Your Consumer Rights
Doorstep Scams
Phone Scams
Product Safety / Counterfeit Goods
Energy Efficiency Measures
Cyber Scams / Cyber Security
Advice for Businesses
Illegal Money Lending / Financial Support Find a full list of organisations who can help if you are struggling with debt at www.stopillegallending.co.uk/how-we-can-help
Glossary
Abbreviations
  • CTSI - Chartered Trading Standards Institute
  • FCA - Financial Conduct Authority
  • IPO - Intellectual Property Office
  • NCSC - National Cyber Security Centre
  • OPSS - Office for Product Safety and Standards
  • SBRC - Scottish Business Resilience Unit
  • SCOTSS - Society of Chief Officers of Trading Standards in Scotland
  • SIMLU - Scottish Illegal Money Lending Unit
  • TSS - Trading Standards Scotland
Frequently Used Terms

The NCSC have compiled a comprehensive glossary of definitions for common terms relating to cyber security: www.ncsc.gov.uk/information/ncsc-glossary

Terms frequently used in this bulletin include:
  • App - short for 'application', refers to a software program for computers or other devices such as smartphones and tablets.
  • Malware - malicious software that is designed to damage or gain unauthorised access to a computer or other device.
  • Phishing - the practice of sending fraudulent emails which often appear to be from well-known organisations or companies and ask the recipient to provide personal information or to visit a particular website.
  • QR Code - a square barcode that a smartphone camera can scan and read to provide quick access to a website or app.
  • Ransomware - malware that makes data or systems unusable until the victim makes a payment.
  • Remote Access - the ability to access a computer or device from another location. Anyone with remote access to a device can access all files stored on it.
  • Smishing - the same as phishing, but carried out via SMS (text) messages rather than emails.
  • Software - the set of instructions and programs that tells a computer how to operate.
  • Virus - a computer program designed to infect and damage legitimate software.
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