Argyll and Bute residents have been warned of trading scams which could cost customers thousands of pounds.

People in Argyll and Bute and West Dunbartonshire have lost nearly £45,000 to rogue traders in just six months, new figures from consumer watchdogs have revealed.

Trading Standards Scotland (TSS) has launched their 'Shut out Scammers' campaign with Police Scotland to raise awareness about the risks of accepting work offered by cold callers.

TSS is warning that fraudsters are adapting their tactics to exploit the cost-of-living crisis, including making bogus claims to be working on behalf of the government with fake subsidy offers.

Councillor Maureen Chalmers said: “Scammers are constantly adapting their tactics to take advantage of people, especially when many households in Argyll and Bute are struggling to make ends meet with the cost-of-living crisis.

“With our campaign and van, we aim to equip people with the tools and confidence to spot scams effectively.

“We urge consumers not to deal with cold callers and to seek local traders who have been vetted by Trading Standards.

“Do plenty of research into companies before agreeing to any work being undertaken, remembering that online adverts can be misleading and that reviews can be faked.

“It is advisable to check at least three different review sites and to get more than one quote for a piece of work.

“We are also asking people to look out for family members, friends, and neighbours and to report any suspicious behaviour to stop the scammers in their tracks.”

As part of the campaign, a scam awareness van has been visiting different parts of Argyll and Bute with police and trading standards officers on hand to give advice on avoiding doorstep scams and provide resources such as ‘no cold calling’ stickers and information leaflets.

TSS have urged consumers to conduct thorough research into companies before agreeing to any work and have warned that criminals often use online adverts featuring misleading information and reviews.

Householders should check at least three different review sites and find more than one quote for a piece of work.

Consumers are advised against dealing with cold callers and are encouraged to seek reputable local traders.

The campaign is also calling on people to check in with their older relatives to ensure that that they are aware of these scams.

Between November 2023 and April 2024, 13 people across Argyll and Bute and West Dunbartonshire sought help after losing a total of £44,719 to cold callers for incomplete or unsatisfactory roofing, gardening, and driveway work with the average amount lost being£3,440.

However, it is suspected that the scale of the problem is likely to be worse than indicated, as these figures do not account for unreported cases.

Vetted businesses can be found on the Society of Chief Officers of Trading Standards in Scotland (SCOTSS) approved trader portal at www.approvedtrader.scot.

Those who have fallen victim to a scam or who are aware of suspicious traders should report it using the national advice service Advice Direct Scotland’s tool at www.consumeradvice.scot or contact 0808 164 6000 for support.

Victims of fraud should report it to Police Scotland on 101, or 999 in an emergency.