Trading Standards Scotland

Be #ScamAware of emails which seem to have been sent by antivirus providers saying

💻your name has appeared on the dark web
💻your antivirus protection is about to expire

Don't click links in unexpected emails

➡️https://mailchi.mp/4394780ae173/trading-standards-scotland-bulletin-12-february#Recent2

Our cold caller checklist may be useful for those who are worried about rogue traders or who don’t feel confident dealing with cold callers

View it online or download & print: https://www.tsscot.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Consumer-Checklist.pdf #ConfidentConsumer

There have been reports of cold callers offering 'free roof surveys' and telling householders their current insulation may be causing formaldehyde poisoning

Read more ➡️https://mailchi.mp/4394780ae173/trading-standards-scotland-bulletin-12-february#Recent3

Be wary of romance scams this Valentine's Day

💰Don't send money/details to someone you’ve only met online

✔️Use a reputable dating site/app

📱Be suspicious if someone's unwilling to talk on the phone/via video

➡️https://mailchi.mp/4394780ae173/trading-standards-scotland-bulletin-12-february#Recent4

In this week's #ScamShare bulletin:

🗨️Avoid Counterfeit Valentine's Gifts
🗨️Antivirus Provider Scams
🗨️Insulation Scams: Formaldehyde Poisoning
🗨️Romance Scams
🗨️Borrow Money Safely Online
🗨️Scam QR Codes on Parking Meters

➡️https://mailchi.mp/4394780ae173/trading-standards-scotland-bulletin-12-february

This is #SaferInternetDay - be #ScamAware of some of the most common email scams👇

Don't click on links in unexpected emails. If a message says there's a problem with your account, log in via the official website/app rather than clicking a link #ScamShare

In this week's #ScamShare bulletin:

🗨️Thermal Coating Scams
🗨️Amazon 'Product Recall' Scams
🗨️Compensation Scams: Insulation
🗨️Police Impersonation Scams
🗨️Phone Contract Scams
🗨️Product Safety & Recent Recalls

Read & share➡️ https://mailchi.mp/bf661f4bf2c1/trading-standards-scotland-bulletin-5-february

Has a trader carried out work on your property that is not as initially described or of satisfactory quality?

You may be able to claim a repair, replacement or a full or partial refund

Find out more about your consumer rights at https://consumeradvice.scot/knowledge-centre/

#ConfidentConsumer

If you hire a trader to carry out work on your property, you have the right to expect it to be completed with reasonable care and skill

If not, you're legally entitled to ask them to fix the problem or ask for a refund

Find out more: https://consumeradvice.scot/knowledge-centre

#ConfidentConsumer

Do you have friends or relatives who are bothered by scam calls?

Our PDF with information about common scam calls and how to avoid them can be printed off for those who are not online 👇 #ScamShare #ScamAware

https://www.tsscot.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Phone-Scam-Information.pdf

Recent reports of cold callers who say they work for the council and can offer free roof surveys or discounts

They may say urgent work is required on your roof

Verify their identity before dealing with them

➡️https://mailchi.mp/42b8d106dc70/trading-standards-scotland-bulletin-29-january#Recent3

This week's #ScamShare bulletin has examples of bank email scams:

🗨️We're upgrading our authentication process and need your details

🗨️A new direct debit has been set up

🗨️A suspicious transaction has been made

➡️ https://mailchi.mp/42b8d106dc70/trading-standards-scotland-bulletin-29-january#Recent4

Homeowners who had spray foam insulation installed are being cold called and told they need to have an assessment done

Rogue traders then say the insulation is dangerous & needs removed, usually at a huge cost

➡️https://mailchi.mp/42b8d106dc70/trading-standards-scotland-bulletin-29-january#Recent1

In this week's #ScamShare bulletin:

🗨️Insulation Assessment Scams
🗨️Emergency Locksmith Scams
🗨️Council Impersonation Scams
🗨️Banking Scam Emails
🗨️FCA Firm Checker
🗨️Digital Telecare Scams

Please read & share ➡️https://mailchi.mp/42b8d106dc70/trading-standards-scotland-bulletin-29-january

If a trader has used high pressure selling tactics to get you to buy a product or service on the spot, you may have the right to cancel the contract and obtain a full refund within 90 days

Find out more: https://consumeradvice.scot/knowledge-centre

#ConfidentConsumer

If you’re considering an investment, pension opportunity, loan or other financial service, use the FCA Firm Checker to check if the firm is authorised and help avoid scams

Before you seal the deal, check if it’s real

Visit: fca.org.uk/firm-checker #FirmChecker #FCAFirmChecker

53% of recruitment scams begin on social media, where criminals post bogus job advertisements or contact people directly

If you're looking for a job, you can now use the Jobseekers’ anti-scam tool centre to help you avoid fraud and other online harms

More➡️ www.getsafeonline.org/safejobseekertools

Be #ScamAware of emails which seem to be from British Gas and offer the chance to receive a free thermostat in return for completing a 'home energy' survey

Read more ➡️https://mailchi.mp/d4367973ea19/trading-standards-scotland-bulletin-22-january#Recent4

The accessibility tool on our website includes:

✔️Text to Speech software
✔️Font & colour customisation
✔️Reading accessibility tools
✔️Translation into over 130 languages

Just click the circular ReciteMe icon to get started! ➡️https://www.tsscot.co.uk/

Have you experienced a scam?

If you're in Scotland, report it to Advice Direct Scotland on 0808 164 6000 or via https://scamwatch.consumeradvice.scot/

Stay #ScamAware

Did you know that we are an official information provider on the Neighbourhood Watch Scotland Alert system?

Find out more about signing up to receive alerts and how to opt in to receive Trading Standards info 👉 https://mailchi.mp/234edab857d8/trading-standards-scotland-bulletin-9-october#Ongoing2

With products and services becoming more expensive, it's important to make sure that your consumer rights are upheld.

Find out more about your rights at https://consumeradvice.scot/knowledge-centre/ or call 0808 164 6000 for support on consumer-related matters.

There have been reports of roofing scams where traders are contracted to carry out a small repair job to a roof, then tell the homeowner they have found further work that needs to be done urgently

Recent cases ➡️ https://mailchi.mp/d4367973ea19/trading-standards-scotland-bulletin-22-january#Recent3

Be #ScamAware of cold callers who offer special deals on insurance policies/warranties for electrical products or white goods

If in doubt, contact your insurance provider or the original supplier to verify

➡️ https://mailchi.mp/d4367973ea19/trading-standards-scotland-bulletin-22-january#Recent2

Scammers are creating fake customer service accounts for well-known brands

They target customers who post complaints on social media and ask for personal details

Read more ➡️https://mailchi.mp/d4367973ea19/trading-standards-scotland-bulletin-22-january#Recent1

In this week's #ScamShare bulletin:

🗨️Fake Customer Service Accounts on Social Media
🗨️Warranty/Insurance Scams
🗨️Roofing Scams - 'Extra Work'
🗨️British Gas Scam Emails
🗨️Safe Jobseeking
🗨️Avoiding Cryptocurrency Scams

➡️ https://mailchi.mp/d4367973ea19/trading-standards-scotland-bulletin-22-january

If you believe a trader has provided misleading info about a product or service to get you to make a purchase or sign a contract, you may have the right to cancel the contract or obtain a discount on the price agreed

Find out more➡️https://consumeradvice.scot/knowledge-centre

#ConfidentConsumer

Every Wednesday we'll have themed posts to increase awareness of:

✔️Consumer rights in relation to purchases & contracts

✔️Where to find trusted info on issues such as dispute resolution, trusted traders & reporting problems

Know your rights - Know you're right #ConfidentConsumer

Have you experienced a scam?

If you're in Scotland, report it to Advice Direct Scotland on 0808 164 6000 or via https://scamwatch.consumeradvice.scot/

Stay #ScamAware

Do you have friends or relatives who are bothered by scam calls?

Our PDF with information about common scam calls and how to avoid them can be printed off for those who are not online 👇 #ScamShare #ScamAware

https://www.tsscot.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Phone-Scam-Information.pdf