Latest news with #FionaRichardson
STV News
2 days ago
- Business
- STV News
Call for national action to protect Scots in green heating rollout
Urgent and co-ordinated national action is needed to protect consumers in Scotland as the country moves towards greener home heating, according to a new report. Consumer Scotland said on Tuesday that more needs to be done by governments, regulators, and industry to safeguard people from scams and unfair practices as millions of homes face major changes in how they are heated. The watchdog's latest investigation highlights a range of concerns in the low-carbon heating and insulation sector – including misleading marketing, rogue traders and high upfront costs. To meet legally binding climate targets, more than two million homes across Scotland will need to switch to low or zero-emissions heating by 2045. That includes technology such as heat pumps, electric heating systems, heat networks and upgraded insulation. But the report found current levels of consumer awareness and uptake are lagging behind. Key recommendations include: Stronger regulation and better-resourced enforcement to clamp down on rogue traders. Mandatory accreditation for all installers and traders in the sector. A simplified complaints and redress system for consumers. A review of financial support to help with upfront installation costs. Public awareness campaigns to improve understanding of green home heating. Improved information-sharing between industry bodies and regulators. Consumer Scotland chief executive Sam Ghibaldan said: 'The transition to net zero is one of the defining challenges of our time – and heating our homes differently is at the heart of it. 'We've seen some households have positive experiences, but too many are put off by confusing systems, high costs and concerns about scams or poor service. 'Our recommendations aim to make the journey simpler, safer and fairer for everyone.' Trading Standards Scotland welcomed the report, saying it highlights the urgent need for stronger safeguards. Chief officer Fiona Richardson said: 'Scams and rogue traders are undermining trust in the sector. If people are to engage fully with this transition, they need confidence and protection. 'We're committed to working with our partners to make that happen.' Consumer Scotland is urging both the Scottish and UK governments to act swiftly to improve regulation, simplify the consumer journey, and ensure enforcement bodies are equipped to respond. The watchdog says success will depend on joint efforts, adding that the rewards include lower emissions, warmer homes, and reduced fuel poverty across Scotland. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Daily Record
28-04-2025
- Daily Record
Couple from Motherwell scammed out of £4,000 by rogue traders
A couple from Motherwell were scammed out of £4,000 by rogue traders who falsely claimed their roof had extensive damage, Trading Standards Scotland (TSS) has revealed. The pair, who wish to remain anonymous, were visited by roofers offering a free inspection. Initially, they were told only minor repairs were needed, costing £200. However, the workers later claimed the roof required £8,000 worth of work due to major damage Feeling pressured, the couple paid a £4,000 deposit. After the work was completed, they sought a second opinion. A council-approved roofer assessed the job and concluded the repairs had been poorly done and should have cost no more than £1,000. The incident was highlighted by TSS as it published the findings of a poll showing that almost half of Scots have been targeted by aggressive or misleading sales tactics. The ScotPulse survey of 1,063 people revealed that 46 per cent of people had encountered banned practices used by rogue traders. A third (33 per cent) said they were misled into completing a sale, but only one in five of those reported the incident to the authorities. It comes as TSS launches a nationwide 'Know Your Rights' campaign to help Scots understand their protections and report scams and dishonest sellers. Other shocking examples include an elderly woman from Fife who lost £3,000 after a sales team posing as NHS workers spent more than two hours in her home, pressuring into buying a new mattress. Experts have also uncovered cases where traders stayed in homes until midnight, while one locksmith even locked a customer out of their own property. The examples highlight the importance of refusing to give in to pressure tactics and bogus claims. Fiona Richardson, chief officer of Trading Standards Scotland, said: 'It is shocking that so many people in Scotland are falling victim to misleading and aggressive sales tactics. 'This poll shows the scale of the problem, with almost half of people experiencing this kind of appalling behaviour. 'Traders who offer fake discounts or falsely claim extra work is needed are not just being dishonest – they are breaking the law. 'The impact goes beyond financial loss. It causes stress and anxiety, particularly for older or more vulnerable people. 'We urge consumers not to deal with cold callers. Instead, look for trusted local businesses through approved trader schemes backed by Trading Standards. 'Always research a company before agreeing to any work. Online adverts can be misleading and reviews can be faked. Take your time. A pushy pitch is often a red flag. 'It is vital that consumers feel confident standing up to these tactics and know there is help available.' *Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here . And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here .
STV News
28-04-2025
- Business
- STV News
Almost half of Scots fall victim to banned sales tactics, poll suggests
Almost half of Scots have been targeted by aggressive or misleading sales tactics, a new poll suggests. The survey, conducted for Trading Standards Scotland (TSS), revealed 46% of participants had encountered banned practices used by rogue traders. Around a third (33%) said they were misled into completing a sale but only one in five of those reported the incident to the authorities. The ScotPulse survey of 1,063 people comes as TSS launches a nationwide Know Your Rights campaign to help Scots understand their protections and report scams and dishonest sellers. Examples include an elderly woman from Fife who lost £3,000 after a sales team posing as NHS workers spent more than two hours in her home, pressuring her into buying a new mattress. Experts also uncovered cases where traders stayed in homes until midnight, with one locksmith even locking a customer out of their own property. The survey also found that just under a third (31%) of Scots said their physical health, mental wellbeing, or both had been affected by misleading or aggressive sales tactics. Only 28% were aware that money could potentially be reclaimed from financial institutions after being misled. TSS is urging people not to engage with cold callers and instead to seek reputable local traders. Chief officer Fiona Richardson said: 'It is shocking that so many people in Scotland are falling victim to misleading and aggressive sales tactics. 'This poll shows the scale of the problem, with almost half of people experiencing this kind of appalling behaviour. 'Traders who offer fake discounts or falsely claim extra work is needed are not just being dishonest – they are breaking the law. 'The impact goes beyond financial loss. It causes stress and anxiety, particularly for older or more vulnerable people. 'We urge consumers not to deal with cold callers. Instead, look for trusted local businesses through approved trader schemes backed by Trading Standards. 'Always research a company before agreeing to any work. Online adverts can be misleading and reviews can be faked. Take your time. A pushy pitch is often a red flag. 'It is vital that consumers feel confident standing up to these tactics and know there is help available.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
The Herald Scotland
28-04-2025
- The Herald Scotland
Almost half of Scots fall victim to banned sales tactics, poll
Almost half of Scots have been targeted by aggressive or misleading sales tactics, a new poll suggests. The survey, conducted for Trading Standards Scotland (TSS), revealed 46% of participants had encountered banned practices used by rogue traders. Around a third (33%) said they were misled into completing a sale but only one in five of those reported the incident to the authorities. The ScotPulse survey of 1,063 people comes as TSS launches a nationwide Know Your Rights campaign to help Scots understand their protections and report scams and dishonest sellers. Examples include an elderly woman from Fife who lost £3,000 after a sales team posing as NHS workers spent more than two hours in her home, pressuring her into buying a new mattress. READ MORE: Glasgow man who pretended to be Greggs manager to con council jailed for four years Couple loses £30,000 as fraudster dupes law firm Experts also uncovered cases where traders stayed in homes until midnight, with one locksmith even locking a customer out of their own property. The survey also found that just under a third (31%) of Scots said their physical health, mental wellbeing, or both had been affected by misleading or aggressive sales tactics. Only 28% were aware that money could potentially be reclaimed from financial institutions after being misled. TSS is urging people not to engage with cold callers and instead to seek reputable local traders. Chief officer Fiona Richardson said: 'It is shocking that so many people in Scotland are falling victim to misleading and aggressive sales tactics. 'This poll shows the scale of the problem, with almost half of people experiencing this kind of appalling behaviour. 'Traders who offer fake discounts or falsely claim extra work is needed are not just being dishonest – they are breaking the law. 'The impact goes beyond financial loss. It causes stress and anxiety, particularly for older or more vulnerable people. 'We urge consumers not to deal with cold callers. Instead, look for trusted local businesses through approved trader schemes backed by Trading Standards. 'Always research a company before agreeing to any work. Online adverts can be misleading and reviews can be faked. Take your time. A pushy pitch is often a red flag. 'It is vital that consumers feel confident standing up to these tactics and know there is help available.'
Glasgow Times
28-04-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow man loses £3k to trader capitalising on Grenfell disaster
The man from Glasgow, who wishes to remain anonymous, was approached by a cold caller claiming to work for a company contracted by Glasgow City Council to carry out safety checks, Trading Standards Scotland (TSS) have revealed. After inspecting the electricity meter, the trader insisted his voltage levels were dangerously high and recommended installing a 'voltage optimiser' for £3000. He linked the supposed risk to the Grenfell Tower fire which killed more than 70 people in north Kensington, London, in June 2017. READ NEXT: Award winning pan-Asian restaurant to open new Southside spot File photo dated 14/07/2017 of fire at Grenfell Tower in west London (Image: Natalie Oxford/PA Wire) The man later became suspicious and asked a local electrician to check the device. The electrician confirmed the voltage was normal and the optimiser installed was worth less than £300. TSS has highlighted the incident as it published the findings of a poll showing almost half of Scots have been targeted by aggressive or misleading sales tactics. The ScotPulse survey of 1063 people revealed that 46% of respondents had encountered banned practices used by rogue traders. A third said they were misled into completing a sale, but only one in five of those reported the incident to the authorities. The survey also found 31% of Scots said their physical health, mental wellbeing, or both had been affected by misleading or aggressive sales tactics while only 28% were aware money could potentially be reclaimed from financial institutions after being misled. It comes as TSS launches a nationwide 'Know Your Rights' campaign to help Scots understand their protections and report scams and dishonest sellers. They are also encouraging people not to engage with cold callers and instead to seek reputable local traders. READ NEXT: City centre street to close for filming next month for BBC drama Fiona Richardson, chief officer of Trading Standards Scotland, said: "It is shocking that so many people in Scotland are falling victim to misleading and aggressive sales tactics. "This poll shows the scale of the problem, with almost half of people experiencing this kind of appalling behaviour. "Traders who offer fake discounts or falsely claim extra work is needed are not just being dishonest – they are breaking the law. "The impact goes beyond financial loss. It causes stress and anxiety, particularly for older or more vulnerable people. "We urge consumers not to deal with cold callers. Instead, look for trusted local businesses through approved trader schemes backed by Trading Standards. "Always research a company before agreeing to any work. Online adverts can be misleading and reviews can be faked. Take your time. A pushy pitch is often a red flag. "It is vital that consumers feel confident standing up to these tactics and know there is help available." The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 protects people from misleading or aggressive sales tactics, banning high-pressure selling and the withholding of important information. This includes false or confusing product details, fake discounts, or claims that unnecessary work is urgently needed. Anyone who feels misled or pressured can get support through Advice Direct Scotland at or by calling 0808 164 6000. Victims of fraud should report it to Police Scotland by calling 101, or 999 in an emergency.
