Lanarkshire locals warned over cowboy firms trying to cash in on home insulation scams

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Lanarkshire residents have been urged to be on their guard against cowboy firms trying to cash in on home insulation scams by falsely claiming they have ties to consumer watchdogs.

Advice Direct Scotland, which runs the free consumeradvice.scot service, has seen a surge in complaints from homeowners about offers to tackle botched and mis-sold spray foam insulation.The charity has received calls from across the country reporting companies suggesting they are working with Trading Standards in an attempt to appear legitimate.The Lanarkshire Live app is available to download now.

Get all the news from your area – as well as features, entertainment, sport and the latest on Lanarkshire’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic – straight to your fingertips, 24/7.The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories, and allows you to customise your page to the sections that matter most to you.Head to the App Store and never miss a beat in Lanarkshire - iOS - Android Experts are concerned that the same rogue traders who originally misled consumers by selling them spray foam may now be sharing customers’ personal information – or even rebranding themselves so they can swindle the same people again.Trading Standards Scotland (TSS) made it clear that it is not working with any spray foam removal companies.Advice Direct Scotland stressed the importance of thoroughly researching companies before agreeing to any work and encouraged homeowners to find vetted traders.Earlier this year, TSS warned about spray foam scams after a 42 per cent rise in incidents in 2023, costing Scottish homeowners £500,000.Cold-callers often promise a free loft survey, then claim to detect damp or mould and suggest spray foam installation