Citizens Advice warns of thousands caught in roofing scams

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 12 Oct, 13:31 · Archive

Citizens Advice has warned that thousands of homeowners are being scammed by rogue roofers.

Citizens Advice has warned that growing numbers of homeowners are being scammed by rogue roofers who invent problems, carry out shoddy work, or demand payment for repairs never completed. Roofing scams made up 10% of all fraudulent goods or services complaints to the charity's consumer service over the past year, with one in four roofing complaints identified as suspected scams.

Many victims reported traders vanishing with their money, inventing issues, using aggressive sales tactics, or demanding payments in a way that left them feeling threatened. Three-quarters of suspected roofing scams involved doorstep sales.

Dame Clare Moriarty, chief executive of Citizens Advice, said: 'Scammers exploit the fact that roofs are out of sight and reach, knowing most people can't easily inspect the work themselves.' She noted that while poor quality work is an issue in the roofing sector, there is a difference between shoddy work and deliberate fraud designed to extort money.

One victim, a 65-year-old woman from the North East, posted an online ad seeking help with a gutter issue and was quickly contacted by two men offering a same-day visit for £250. They claimed she needed 'eave protection' to prevent water damage and quoted £2,500 for immediate repairs, then insisted she pay on the spot after claiming to find another problem.

How it is being reported

• Citizens Advice scam warning issued to UK homeowners as thousands caught outCitizens Advice has warned that people are being scammed out of thousands of pounds by rogue roofers.Ipswich Star · 12 Oct, 13:09
• Citizens Advice scam warning issued to UK homeowners as thousands caught outCitizens Advice has warned that people are being scammed out of thousands of pounds by rogue roofers.East Anglian Daily Times · 12 Oct, 13:08

In this story: Citizens Advice · Dame Clare Moriarty · North East

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