The green home scammers trying to take advantage

There has been an increase in reports both in the UK and worldwide of scammers using eco-friendly deals and services to target homeowners. The financial and safety risks of falling prey to one of these scams can be serious, so it’s important to stay vigilant.

What is a green home scam?

These scams specifically focus on offering homeowners installations that are designed to save energy in the home, such as solar panels, cavity wall insulation and smart lighting. In some instances, scammers claim to offer grants that they aren’t affiliated with, or that don’t even exist.

Scammers may contact people by phone, text or email with an exclusive offer for an eco-friendly installation. They then encourage homeowners to visit a website, register their interest or pay a deposit, providing fraudsters with the information to access their accounts or steal their identity.

Rogue traders may also use a ‘good Samaritan’ approach, where they claim to have noticed that the current installation is unsafe or due for an upgrade and offer to carry out the work. They then either carry out a poor-quality job or take the money and never do the work.

Why are green home scams on the rise?

Scams tend to follow trends and topical news stories. The rising cost of energy, as well as the reduction in demand for fossil fuels, has meant that these types of green products are very desirable. In addition, while consumers may have heard of the various grants and incentives available for eco-friendly upgrades, they may be unfamiliar with them, which can make it easier for scammers to take advantage.

What are the risks of these types of scam?

Most scams are designed to take a person’s money. This could be as simple as overcharging for the work or doing a low-quality job and charging a high price. Some scammers will ask for a deposit or the full amount up front with no intention of ever carrying out the work. There’s also a risk of fraud or identity theft, particularly in instances where scammers contact homeowners by text or email.

There is also a huge safety risk when work is carried out. Unqualified contractors may leave a person’s home or business in unsafe conditions without them being aware of it. Two of the most dangerous industries for rogue traders are gas and electric, as poor work could cause serious damage, personal injury, and even death.

How can you spot a scammer or rogue trader?

With 250,000 illegal gas jobs carried out every year and more than 20,000 unregistered electrician firms operating in the UK, it’s important to be extremely vigilant when hiring a contractor.

Here are some questions to ask yourself to avoid being targeted by a scammer. You can find more tips in our guide on how to spot rogue traders.

Did they contact you?

If you’ve been directly contacted by a salesperson or tradesperson without getting in touch with them first, don’t agree to any work without carrying out thorough research. Be particularly wary if you receive phone or email communications from a company you haven’t heard of and don’t remember sharing your details with. Never click on links sent to you by an unknown source.

Are they pressuring you?

It’s a common tactic in any form of scam to contact you out of the blue, sometimes offering a limited-time deal or access to a grant to encourage you to take action. This could be by phone, by email, or even in person at your home. Legitimate contractors will be happy to let you take your time, particularly for high-cost installations.

Are they accredited?

While trade association logos, such as Gas Safe or NICEIC, offer an additional layer of trust, it’s important to remember that scammers may use these logos even if they’re not registered. Always verify these details yourself on the association’s official website, including their participation in any green homes grants.

Does it sound too good to be true?

If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Trust your gut instinct and always err on the side of caution.

What do I do if I think I have been scammed?

If you suspect that you’ve been scammed, or that someone has tried to scam you, there are several steps you can take:

– Make a formal complaint with the trader and try to come to an agreement to solve the problem

– Get in touch with any trade associations that the trader is a member of and ask them for advice

– Ask your card provider if you’re eligible to get your money back

– Use an arbitrator or complain to an ombudsman

– Report the trader to Trading Standards

– Make a court claim

This Citizens Advice guide covers this topic in more detail, and is a great resource if you think a business has broken the law or acted unfairly.