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Roofing scammers con homeowners out of thousands of pounds, warns Citizens Advice
Overview
According to Citizens Advice, roofing scams have become the most common type of scam reported to the charity, accounting for one in ten recorded scams over the past year. Fraudsters often use aggressive doorstep tactics, exploit the fact that roofs are hard to inspect, and leave victims with incomplete, unnecessary, or shoddy work, costing them thousands of pounds.
Key points
- Roofing scams accounted for one in 10 of all scams recorded by Citizens Advice over the past year.
- In the year leading up to August, the Citizens Advice Consumer Service received 9,000 complaints about roofing work, with 2,205 suspected as scams.
- Three-quarters of fraudsters used aggressive and intimidating doorstep sales tactics.
- Victims, often elderly or living alone, reported losing thousands of pounds for work that was left incomplete or caused further damage to their homes.
- Citizens Advice advises consumers to check traders thoroughly, ask for everything in writing, be wary of unsolicited callers, and know their rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015.