A MAN was scammed out of £3000 by a rogue trader exploiting safety fears following the Grenfell Tower 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.
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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.
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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 www.consumeradvice.scot or by calling 0808 164 6000.
Victims of fraud should report it to Police Scotland by calling 101, or 999 in an emergency.