Suspected roofing frauds were the most frequently reported scam to Citizens Advice in the year leading up to August. The charity recorded over 2,200 complaints of these scams in England and Wales, marking an increase of about 10% from the previous year.
Ruwani Purcell, director of external affairs at Citizens Advice, stated that the majority of cases involve someone cold-calling at a door, claiming to have noticed an issue with a roof and offering to help. Fraudsters use persuasive tactics, sometimes intimidating victims, to compel immediate payment for unnecessary or uncompleted work.
While most reported scams start with door-to-door solicitations, some criminals also target potential victims online. Citizens Advice highlighted a case where a 65-year-old woman, seeking gutter repairs online, was pressured into paying £3,500 for work that was not done.
Citizens Advice advises caution regarding unsolicited offers for work and demands for immediate payment. Reputable builders should provide references and confirm all proposed work in writing. Consumers can check local council websites or the government's TrustMark scheme for approved tradespeople.