Homeowners warned over inexperienced power scammers

Homeowners want more potent protections in opposition to rogue buyers and scammers capitalising on inexperienced power schemes, in step with Scotland’s client frame.

Consumer Scotland warned that extra other folks have been prone to be centered as the rustic transitions to low or zero-emissions heating over the following 20 years.

It has known as on each Scottish and UK governments to make sure more potent law of the business together with accreditation for buyers and a streamlined court cases procedure.

In a brand new file the shopper frame highlighted scams involving spray foam insulation have already higher by way of 42% in 2023.

Craig McClue, head of investigations for Consumer Scotland, mentioned: “When we looked at this sector, in particular, we realised that Scotland has climate change targets to be net zero by 2045 and that is going to drive demand for low carbon heating technologies and insulation products.

“We discovered that, traditionally, there were a large number of scams and unfair buying and selling, and we heard proof from our enforcement companions about simply how prevalent those issues are.

“When you realise more than two million households are soon going to enter this sector, the risk is very real that consumers can face scams and unfair trading.”

He mentioned that they had heard robust proof of a few rogue buyers focused on prone shoppers in Scotland.

“They suggest a loft surveys and suggest they make immediate decisions to get insulation, which proves unsuitable for the home, creates damp, and leads to mould,” he mentioned.

“We then hear these same traders return under a new guise to take the spray foam insulation out. It is almost like a life-cycle scam.”

The file recommends higher sources for enforcement our bodies to take on rogue buying and selling and obligatory accreditation for all buyers within the sector to extend client self assurance.

Sam Ghibaldan, leader govt of Consumer Scotland, added: “The transition to net zero is one of the defining challenges of modern times.

“For many families, this these days manner navigating a fancy and unfamiliar sector frequently at important value. This adventure will have to be made more practical, more secure, and fairer.

“Our recommendations will help ensure consumers are empowered, protected, and supported through every stage of the transition, from initial decisions to installation protections and action to resolve complaints.”

“I committed the cardinal sin,” displays David Adams, 87, a widower who lives on my own in Glasgow. “Someone chapped my door and I let them in.”

In past due 2023, a consultant of an organization known as Smarter Insulation Ltd gave the impression at his entrance door asking to speak to him about spray foam insulation.

He defined: “There was quite a lot going on about government grants for people. It seemed to be the thing to do, we were all getting very conscious of emissions, insulation and all the rest of it.

“The chap went up into the loft and took a take a look at. He mentioned there was once damp within the air and this spray foam insulation would lend a hand.

“They had a good looking brochure and it all looked legit.”

He paid round £5,300 for the paintings, however a fortnight later he gained a telephone name from an organization known as the Roofing Advisory Service (RAS).

In paperwork observed by way of BBC Scotland News, it warned him of “mis-selling of spray foam insulation by certain companies” and that his house was once in danger from damp within the roof area and “potential issues with mortgageability and insurability in the future”.

In the tip, he paid an extra £2,750 to have insulation got rid of by way of a 3rd corporate only a month later.

It was once most effective after he paid that Mr Adams contacted Trading Standards and Advice Direct Scotland, however he stays £8,000 out of pocket.

He added: “You just think, ‘I’ve been a sucker’… That’s why I haven’t taken any steps to get my money back.

“I will have to’ve recognized higher.”

Fiona Richardson of Trading Standards Scotland mentioned scams and miss-selling have been proceeding to break accept as true with within the inexperienced house heating marketplace.

“If consumers are to play their part in the transition to net zero, they must be protected from unfair trading practices and given the necessary confidence to engage in the sector,” she mentioned.

A UK govt spokesperson mentioned: “Allegations of fraud are taken very seriously and for UK wide schemes there is a dedicated Ofgem team working on counter fraud and whistleblowing.”

A Scottish govt spokesperson mentioned it welcomed the file “which highlights the need for a change to clean heating as part of Scotland’s commitment to achieving net zero”.

They added: “It is vital people feel assured that any work carried out to decarbonise their heating is done to a high standard and represents good value for money.

“That’s why we now have been operating with the United Kingdom govt and Ofgem at the creation of latest client requirements for warmth community shoppers – reminiscent of honest pricing and dependable provide – which will likely be presented in January 2026.”