Trading Standards Scotland

Today in the A-Z of scams: Bank scams

📱Calls about suspicious transactions, asking you to transfer money to a safe account

💻Messages saying your account is compromised

Banks will NOT cold call & ask you to move money to another account

https://www.tsscot.co.uk/a-z-scams/ #ScamShare

First in the A-Z of scams - Amazon scams

📱Calls saying a suspicious purchase has been made

📱Messages saying your subscription will be automatically renewed

Don't deal with cold callers - if in doubt log in to your account

➡️ https://www.tsscot.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Spotlight-Amazon.pdf

Today we're launching our A-Z of scams👇

Over the festive period scammers will try to exploit people's worries about rising costs & bills, so we're highlighting 26 scams to be aware of

We'll focus on one letter a day - keep an eye out for A later today!

https://www.tsscot.co.uk/a-z-scams/

43% of respondents to this year's Big Scottish Scam Survey had experienced a delivery scam

If you're expecting a delivery, track it on the company’s official website rather than using links/contact details provided in an unexpected message

Read examples➡️ mailchi.mp/58c29d8b7328...

The results of the Big Scottish Scam Survey 2025 are in!

The 10 most common scams in Scotland are:

🏠Energy Scams
📦Delivery Scams
💳HMRC Scams
🎉Prize Draw Scams
📱WhatsApp Scams
💷Bank Scams
📺Amazon Scams
🛒Online Shopping Scams
💻Broadband Scams
🪙Investment Scams

Read more ➡️ mailchi.mp/10cdd430e0e8...

In this week's #ScamShare bulletin:

🗨️Parking Fine Scams
🗨️Counterfeit Labubu Dolls
🗨️Doorstep Scams: Broadband
🗨️Investment Scams: Quantum AI
🗨️Enjoy a #SharkFreeSummer - campaign from @stoploansharks.bsky.social
🗨️Safe For Work: Tips to Stay Safe Online

Read & share ➡️ mailchi.mp/1870f4f2a496...

Be #ScamAware of messages asking you to apply for the winter fuel allowance

If you're eligible to receive any payments, you don't need to apply for them. You'll be paid automatically in the same way you usually get your benefit or tax credits

Read more ➡️ mailchi.mp/66f69a00eb1b...

Our new campaign aims to help you enjoy a #SharkFreeSummer

If you're struggling with back to school costs, don’t turn to a loan shark for help – they could put you and your family in danger.

Find out more about available support at www.stopillegallending.co.uk/SharkFreeSum...

In this week's #ScamShare bulletin:

🗨️Streaming Service Scams
🗨️Microsoft Impersonation Scams
🗨️Booking .com Scams
🗨️Doorstep Scams: Tarmac
🗨️ 'Ex-Offender' Doorstep Scams
🗨️Locksmith Scams

Please read & share➡️ mailchi.mp/f29d736314b7...

Doorstep scammers are offering special deals on solar panels, saying you'll get 'free electricity for life'

Rather than dealing with cold callers, find installers who are registered with the Microgeneration Certification Scheme: mcscertified.com

➡️ mailchi.mp/3b66e5818663...

Be #ScamAware of texts saying an unpaid parking fine has been found on your vehicle and asking you to click a link to pay immediately

They don't say where you supposedly parked

Legitimate fines will contain details of the infringement & how to pay

➡️ mailchi.mp/646ddbba1087...

In this week's #ScamShare bulletin:

🗨️Parking Fine Scams
🗨️"This is Mum/Dad" Message Scams
🗨️Heating/Energy Payment Scams
🗨️Island Music Festival Ticket Scams
🗨️Cryptocurrency Scams
🗨️Data Breaches: Avoid Scams

Please read & share➡️ mailchi.mp/646ddbba1087...

There have been recent reports of scam ads on search engines and social media that offer health products such as diet pills and 'miracle' treatments

They usually falsely claim that the products are endorsed by medical bodies and/or well-known doctors

➡️ mailchi.mp/9b6f080761df...

This week's #ScamShare bulletin has a focus on scams related to health & medical products:

🗨️Scam Ads for Medical Products
🗨️Fake Weight Loss Injections
🗨️Nasal Tanning Spray
🗨️Prescription Delivery Scams
🗨️GP Scam Calls
🗨️Fitness Subscription Scams

➡️ mailchi.mp/9b6f080761df...

In this week's #ScamShare bulletin:

🗨️Disability Aids Scams - #ShopAware
🗨️Doorstep Scams: Driveways
🗨️Insulation Scams
🗨️Recruitment Scams
🗨️Digital Telecare Scams
🗨️RTS Switchoff

Please read & share➡️ mailchi.mp/634737dbf895...

5 things you need to know when buying disability aids Disability aids are designed to support disabled people who need equipment to help them to live more independently.

🦽 This is Consumer Awareness week, with a focus on being #ShopAware for disability aids

Whether for yourself or a loved one, Citizens Advice have advice on finding trustworthy sellers and your rights if you run into issues

Read more on their blog ⤵️
bit.ly/3RP5H4j

In this week's #ScamShare bulletin:

🗨️British Gas Impersonation Scams
🗨️Doorstep Scams: 'Extra Repairs'
🗨️QR Code Scams: Parking Meters
🗨️Funeral Livestream Scams
🗨️Top 10 Phone Scams
🗨️Converting Scotland's Home Heating Report

Please read & share ➡️ mailchi.mp/959711433ded...

National action needed to empower and protect consumers through Scotland’s green home heating transition.

Our investigation includes actions for governments, regulators, and industry - including appropriate resources to tackle unfair trading.

Read more: bit.ly/3HvoBLt

Thinking of booking a last-minute getaway?

Be wary of holiday scams such as:

🏘️fake accommodation listings on social media
📞cold calls and unsolicited emails offering holiday deals
💻scam websites

Over £11million was lost to holiday booking scams last year - read more➡️ mailchi.mp/bf9edfa0a72f...

Today we're launching the Big Scottish Scam Survey 2025!

If you or a family member has experienced a scam in the past year we'd love to hear about it - it will help us make sure our #ScamShare content is up to date and relevant

Fill out the survey here➡️ forms.office.com/e/dXX1Riz06Z

There have been reports of scam websites impersonating Advice Direct Scotland, which ask for a fee to access consumer advice

All services provided by Advice Direct Scotland via advice.scot are FREE- consumers will never be asked to pay to receive advice or report scams

➡️ mailchi.mp/03f28b8346c9...

Woman conned out £7,500 in weight loss scheme she thought was free Initially advertised as free, the schemes are particularly marketed at women, mainly via social media adverts and videos.

There have been recent issues with companies offering overpriced subscriptions for personal training, behaviour change & fitness programmes

They're initially advertised as free programmes, but people end up being charged thousands of pounds - one woman lost £7.5k

More➡️ news.stv.tv/scotland/wom...

In this week's #ScamShare bulletin:

🗨️Energy Grant Scams
🗨️Insulation Scams: Super Quilt Insulation & Formaldehyde
🗨️Doorstep Scams: ECO Reports
🗨️Consumer Advice Impersonation Scams
🗨️Emergency Locksmith Scams
🗨️Misleading Ads for Energy Saving Products

Please read & share➡️ mailchi.mp/03f28b8346c9...

As more people struggle with rising bills, we want to help you avoid common energy scams:

🏠“You need new insulation”

💰“You qualify for a grant for double glazing”

Don’t believe cold callers or online adverts– get trusted advice at www.homeenergyscotland.org #ShutOutScammers

In this week's #ScamShare bulletin:

🗨️Council Impersonation Scams
🗨️Police Impersonation Scams
🗨️Rogue Trader Jailed
🗨️Tax Rebate Agent Scams
🗨️Mental Health, Wellbeing and Money
🗨️Doorstep Scams: Broadband

Please read & share➡️ mailchi.mp/973d8b86f2c9...

Have you been told by a cold caller that you’re eligible for a grant for insulation or other energy saving measures?

Don’t take their word for it #ShutOutScammers

Contact Home Energy Scotland for free, impartial advice about grants and funding ➡️ www.homeenergyscotland.org

Searching for traders online? Avoid fake reviews:

✔️Check timing & spacing of reviews
✔️Check the reviewer’s activity history
✔️Be suspicious of reviews with vague, generic language
✔️Use browser plug-ins to detect fake reviews

Read more➡️ mailchi.mp/22306b4f80bf... #ShutOutScammers

In this week's #ScamShare bulletin:

🗨️#ShutOutScammers Campaign
🗨️Voltage Optimiser Scams
🗨️Gardening Scams
🗨️Roofing Scams: 'Extra Work'
🗨️Avoid Fake Reviews for Traders Online
🗨️Report Issues & Find Trusted Advice

Please read & share➡️ mailchi.mp/22306b4f80bf...

There’s been a huge increase in roofing scams across Scotland.

We asked a roofer who is part of Scotland’s Approved Trader Directory to answer some FAQs about roofing to help consumers make informed decisions and avoid scams

➡️ www.tsscot.co.uk/wp-content/u... #ShutOutScammers

This week we’re launching the annual #ShutOutScammers campaign and we've compiled the most common doorstep scams in Scotland:

🔌Electrical safety checks
🏚️Roof repairs
💷Roof coatings
🌲Gardening/landscaping work
🏘️'Free' roof/insulation surveys
🛣️Driveway repairs

➡️ www.tsscot.co.uk/priority-are...