Council Trading Standards officers recently stepped in to help two Herefordshire residents in their 80s after salesmen arrived at their homes falsely purporting to be surveyors. They were offering bogus loft insulation surveys with the sole intention of conning them into unnecessary work at a grossly inflated price.

The residents had received unsolicited telephone calls to arrange the appointments, with the caller falsely claiming to be calling from Herefordshire Council in one instance and calling on behalf of the government in the other.

Officers intervened before any sales pitch could take place, potentially saving the homeowners thousands of pounds.

The incidents are just two examples of many cases dealt with by Trading Standards officers recently, highlighting concerns about the number of residents being targeted by cold callers using loft insulation and energy efficiency as a way of gaining access to people’s homes.

Residents are being falsely told that their rafters have high moisture readings, and their fibreglass insulation is damp and needs to be removed and replaced. In some cases, residents have then been quoted many thousands of pounds for work that is simply not necessary.

People who have previously had spray foam insulation installed are also being urged to be particularly cautious, as they are likely to be inundated with cold calls from companies offering to remove the foam and replace it with further unnecessary insulation, often silver foil stapled to the rafters. 

Herefordshire Council’s Cabinet member for Roads and Regulatory Services, Councillor Barry Durkin, said:

“These are really worrying examples of how convincing these approaches can be.

“We want residents to be particularly cautious if someone contacts them unexpectedly offering to inspect or replace their loft insulation, especially if they claim to be working for the Council or government.

“It is important to stress that the Council wouldn’t contact people about this type of work, because it is not something we would carry out.

“Please don’t feel pressured into making a decision on the doorstep. You should avoid engaging with cold callers, full stop.”

How to protect yourself

Residents should be cautious about unsolicited telephone calls, visits or flyers offering loft insulation surveys or other home improvement work.

Never deal with any cold callers, either on the telephone or at the door and never let an unexpected caller into your home.

• Don’t assume someone is genuine because they say they are calling from the Council or government.
•  Don’t feel pressured into agreeing to work or signing a contract on the doorstep. Never sign anything or
• pay a deposit without leaving it a few days first to think about it.  
• Get a second opinion and compare quotes before agreeing to any work.
• Talk to a family member, friend or someone you trust before making a decision to enter a contract.

Anyone who is concerned about an approach or thinks they may have been targeted should report it and seek advice from the Citizens’ Advice Consumer Service:

0808 2231133

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/information/contact-the-consumer-service/