Had an email saying a payment for your vehicle tax has failed?

Or a call saying you owe money in unpaid tax and could be arrested?

Don't click links in unexpected messages or give details to a cold caller - find government services & phone numbers at GOV.UK

🟣Take Control of the Small Things🟣

Worried about cyber scams?

Here are 5 things you can do to avoid cyber scams and stay in control, provided by DCI Alasdair Penny from Police Scotland's Cyber and Fraud Unit ⤵️

Find out more: https://ow.ly/ARcx5101ihk

⚠️Scammers are impersonating government organisations and legitimate companies such as banks, service providers and retailers

They phone, send messages or post bogus online ads offering special deals or asking for your bank details

Here are some common phone scams⤵️

Want to make your home more energy efficient but not sure where to find trusted info about grants and funding?

Use Home Energy Scotland's Funding Finder tool to find grants, discounts and funding schemes in your area⤵️

https://homeenergyscotland-advice.est.org.uk/FundingFinder

Cold callers are claiming to be working for the local council or government and offering to carry out 'free' surveys of properties, before offering bogus grants to install energy efficiency measures

Read more in this week's #ScamShare bulletin⤵️
https://ow.ly/ozr95100pyv

Thinking of making your home more energy efficient but not sure how to avoid rogue traders?

Find certified installers of renewables systems in Scotland via the Renewables Installer Finder: installerfinder.energysavingtrust.org.uk

If a cold caller offers you a free loft/roof survey, then tells you they have found serious defects in your house such as mould, damp or woodworm, get a second opinion before starting any work.

Read recent cases in this week's #ScamShare bulletin⤵️

➡️ https://ow.ly/97ln5100pxb

Thinking of making your home more energy efficient?

Here are 5 steps to help you have a safe journey and feel more in control:

☑️ Impartial assessment
☑️Research
☑️Find approved traders
☑️Check finances
☑️Check planning permission

➡️ https://ow.ly/u3Bv5100oXt

In this week's #ScamShare bulletin:

🗨️Energy Grant Scams
🗨️Loft Survey Scams
🗨️Energy Supplier Impersonation Scams
🗨️Dangerous 'Energy-Saving' Devices Online
🗨️Safe Journey to an Energy Efficient Home
🗨️Find Trusted Info & Report Scams

➡️ https://ow.ly/Is8F50ZZYF2

Following a huge rise in scams related to the installation and removal of loft insulation, we have created a leaflet to help consumers avoid scams and find trusted, impartial advice before having any work carried out 👇

https://ow.ly/G06l50ZZBFp #TakeControlOfTheSmallThings

48% of Scots are worried about being able to afford household energy bills this winter

If you're not sure where to turn, visit energyadvice.scot or call 0808 196 8660 for free, practical advice and support on energy-related matters including struggles with bills or problems with suppliers

Have a safe journey to an energy efficient home

☑️Have an impartial assessment carried out
☑️Check available grants/funding
☑️Check if any permissions are needed
☑️Carry out research
☑️Find certified installers

Read more➡️ https://www.tsscot.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Energy-Journey-Leaflet-23.pdf

⚠️Scammers are targeting those looking to reduce their energy bills and make their homes more energy efficient by providing misleading information

This week our Take Control of the Small Things campaign will focus on energy scams - find out more➡️ https://ow.ly/wEma50ZYngv

If you’ve experienced misleading or aggressive sales practices, you can report the trader to Trading Standards by calling Advice Direct Scotland on 0808 164 6000 or visiting https://scamwatch.scot

There’s been a huge increase in roofing scams across Scotland

We asked a roofer who is part of Scotland’s Approved Trader Directory to answer some FAQs to help consumers make informed decisions and avoid scams

Stay #ScamAware➡️ https://www.tsscot.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Roofing-QA.pdf

Download our Take Control of the Small Things leaflet, which highlights five simple things you can do now to avoid scams and feel more in control👇

https://www.tsscot.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Take-Control-of-the-Small-Things-Leaflet.pdf

🟣Take Control of the Small Things🟣

This week's #ScamShare bulletin has information about your consumer rights to help you have the confidence to report issues with rogue traders and scammers ⤵️

#Ongoing1#Ongoing1" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">https://mailchi.mp/9fd73e9550d1/trading-standards-scotland-bulletin-15-october#Ongoing1

This week's #ScamShare bulletin has case studies of rogue traders who offer to repair driveways/private roads using materials supposedly left over from a previous job

They may start work without being authorised or charge more than agreed

Read more➡️ https://ow.ly/YOs650ZYkLp

Over 90% of Halloween costumes sold online don’t comply with UK laws, according to a new investigation by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute ⤵️

https://www.tradingstandards.uk/news-policy-campaigns/news-room/2026/over-90-of-halloween-costumes-sold-online-don-t-comply-with-uk-laws/

This week's #ScamShare bulletin has recent examples of roofing scams and info on how to find trusted roofers if you need work done - stay #ScamAware ⤵️

#Recent1r#Recent1" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">https://mailchi.mp/9fd73e9550d1/trading-standards-scotland-bulletin-15-october#Recent1

In this week's #ScamShare bulletin:

🗨️Roofing Scams
🗨️Courier Fraud
🗨️Rogue Traders: Driveway Resurfacing/Repairs
🗨️Halloween Safety
🗨️Take Control of the Small Things: Know Your Consumer Rights
🗨️Counterfeit Weight Loss Medication

Please read & share ➡️ https://ow.ly/S9CP50ZXyGu

Don't feel embarrassed about reporting a scam

Scams can happen to anyone - they can have an emotional as well as financial impact

Reporting a scam could help track and stop a scammer, and reaching out to talk to someone can help

Call 0808 164 6000 or visit https://consumeradvice.scot #ScamAware

46% of Scots have experienced an aggressive or misleading sales transaction

Do you know how to recognise misleading or aggressive sales practices and what to do if you experience them?

Find out more about your consumer rights & stay #ScamAware ➡️ https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/scotland/consumer/

There’s been a huge increase in roofing scams across Scotland

We asked a roofer who is part of Scotland’s Approved Trader Directory to answer some FAQs to help consumers make informed decisions and avoid scams

Stay #ScamAware➡️ https://www.tsscot.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Roofing-QA.pdf

Take your time to find the right trader for your home improvements to avoid scammers taking advantage

Check places like approvedtrader.scot or TrustMark to find a legit trader

If you think something isn’t right, get help from Citizens Advice Scotland to stay #ScamAware ⤵️
https://bit.ly/3UCBRol