Consumers in Scotland are being urged to be on the lookout for cold-callers offering ‘free surveys’ of lofts before engaging in high-pressure sales tactics to install spray foam insulation.
Trading Standards Scotland (TSS) has received complaints from residents who discovered that the ‘surveyors’ were in fact salespeople who provided them with misleading information. Some people were told that their lofts were damp or mouldy, and required spray foam insulation – usually at a cost of thousands of pounds.
Fiona Richardson, Chief Officer of Trading Standards Scotland, said: “Dishonest traders and companies are attempting to exploit the cost-of-living crisis and are targeting those who want to make their homes more energy-efficient, providing misleading information about products and implying that funding or grants are available.”
In many cases, the addition of spray foam insulation to loft spaces can affect the mortgageability of a house, as a surveyor may not be able to conduct proper checks of the roof.
“We strongly advise homeowners to consult with a mortgage advisor who is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority before having spray foam insulation installed,” said Richardson.
One couple from the Borders recently received a cold call offering a free roof survey – the caller claimed to be working alongside Home Energy Scotland and told them that an inspection would be required to ensure their eligibility for any government grants.
They agreed to a loft survey and were told that toxic mould had been found. The ‘engineer’ stayed in their home for almost four hours, detailing the dangers linked to the mould and persuading them that spray foam insulation was the best solution. They eventually agreed to purchase the insulation and paid more than £5,000 to have it installed.
A couple of months later, they looked into re-mortgaging their home so that they could pay for their son’s college fees. An equity release company refused to provide them with a mortgage due to the spray foam insulation.
“Never accept information offered from these sources without doing independent research, particularly if they tell you that there are grants or funding schemes available,” Richardson said.
“Before agreeing to have any work done, have an impartial assessment carried out on your home to find out which energy-efficiency measures will actually be beneficial to your property. Don’t agree to get an assessment done by a company who cold calls you – they will not be impartial.
“We would also ask people to look out for family members, friends and neighbours who may be vulnerable and to report any suspicious behaviour to Police Scotland.”
This has caused me a lot of upset.
Just had a cold call claiming I needed an engineer’s visit for a H&S check on my loft insulation as damp and mould may have accumulated. Claimed the installer should have left a certificate pinned to the rafters, or given me a certificate stating a check would be needed after 10 years. Visit would be free and was paid for by installer, allegedly British Gas, and related to Government incentive. My house is 20 yrs old, has its original loft insulation, and I don’t think has had extra material added since. The space is now part boarded. I strongly suspect a scam
Hi, I’ve had same call giving identical 10yr timing etc, I do have A4 sheets of info in loft but am very suspicious. Guy on phone was incredibly rude too.
Just had this exact phishing scam call me from the number 0118 230 2156
They said I was “breathing in illegal and dangerous irritants” and that they would send someone round to do a “free safety inspection”. I asked how they got my number and they refused to say, and they didn’t even know where I was in the UK. Alarm bells! So I searched for a scam and up popped this article – thanks for the info!
Had cold call re safety of loft insulation.Said if insulation was unsafe we would qualify for grant.It transpires that we would get spray foam in its place.When I questioned the caller re downside of spray he promptly hung up.(strangely they said they were in the area and could do report today)
I have had the same type of call three times now.
Just had a call relating to above scams and suspected it was a scam. I said thank you I will do some investigating before taking it further. Then checked the number of caller and found this result. Callers number was 02037406692. According to “ who called me” on Google this is from “Magrethea Telecommunications who sell phone numbers to scammers. Do not take them on.
I’ve had 4 voicemails left from the number 0161 554 0313 which is the loft insulation scam. They don’t leave a message but I still get the voicemails even though the number is blocked.
01524959324 from the government to do a free loft survey. To save me energy bills. Pressure to have a surveyor come next working day. Mentioned measuring moisture content in loft. Which you may as well take from the garden if loft is well ventilated.
Just had this call, nearly fell for it too – they had my name and address, gave all the chat about safety checks and certificates, and coincidentally they had a surveyor who could come this evening. I initially agreed, but when they phoned back to ‘put me on the system’ I said I’d do my own research and they hung up. Number withheld. Avoid!
Also had this type of call from a Manchester number – wouldn’t tell me the name of the so-called “Energy Hub” she was calling from and eventually hung up when I kept asking her to verify where she was calling from. Reported and blocked!
I was contacted on 28/09/23 asking about my loft insulation and claiming that glass or mineral fibre poses a health rsk and risk of condensation. I KNOW this to be untrue. I am a retired Energy Consultant. The caller refused to give me the name of her employer and instead gave me waffle about an Energy Hub working for a number of consultants. The caller seemed keen to send a ‘consultant’ round to inspect my roofspace. Since she could not answer my simple question about her employment, we ended the call. The phone number was 01615248432.
I kept getting cold calls despite my number being registered with the TPS. Same thing, the lung foundation (or similar) had declared fibreglass loft insulation to be a hazard to health. The company was offering free no-obligation visits to check on the loft insulation. I knew it was a scam, but as I was fed up with their repeated calls I played along with them this time and let them make an appointment to come to my home. They were most upset on the phone when their “surveyor” couldn’t find the non-existent address I’d given them. I do hope they call again so I can send them on another fool’s errand.
2nd Oct 2023
Just had another t/phone call from ‘Energy Hub” on number 01615240336 proved to be another SCAM RE LOFT
INSULATION.
Obviously I shall not be taking this any further.
I’ve just had a similar call stating they were from an Energy Hub who worked with lots of suppliers. Apparently they had my details on their database and could see that my loft insulation hadn’t been checked in the last 18 months. I said it had been checked and the woman I was speaking to became quite aggressive. She wouldn’t let me get a word in edgeways. In the end I said that of course they could come and inspect – whenever they wanted. I was then asked for my name and address so politely replied ‘if I’m on your database, you’ll have that information.’ The call ended.
I received one of these calls yesterday. It felt fishy so I ended the call and went online – the phone number was 01615246597. I was horrified to see so many scam warnings. Fortunately I ended the call although by then they had my name and address.
Just had a call about my loft insulation causing mold and damp if it’s they old fibreglass fluffy looking stuff was his description told him it was and he said because I’m over 50 I’m entitled to a free survey and would phone back in a hour to arrange a free survey and will be left a report on it. He also said in his opening line your house has come up as not received the survey which is been carried out in your area. Told him not to bother phoning back as my instalation is fine.