Citizens Advice warns of surge in rogue roofing scams targeting homeowners across the UK
According to Citizens Advice, roofing scams have become the most common type of scam reported to the consumer advice charity, accounting for one in ten recorded scams over the past year. In the year leading up to August, the service received 9,000 complaints about roofing work, with 2,205 identified as suspected scams. Officials urge homeowners to conduct thorough background checks on traders before agreeing to any home improvement work.
Key points
- Roofing scams account for one in 10 of all scams recorded by Citizens Advice over the past year.
- The Citizens Advice Consumer Service received 9,000 complaints about roofing work in the year to August, including 2,205 suspected scams.
- Three quarters of fraudsters reportedly use aggressive doorstep sales tactics to exploit homeowners.
- National Trading Standards has condemned the practice as cruel and vowed to pursue perpetrators through legal channels.
What happened
Citizens Advice has reported a significant number of fraudulent incidents involving rogue workmen charging homeowners thousands of pounds for roofing work that is either incomplete, poorly executed, or entirely unnecessary. Data from the consumer advice charity shows that roofing-related complaints made up one in 10 of all scams recorded over the past year, establishing it as the most common scam category brought to the organization.
Context
In the year leading up to August, the Citizens Advice Consumer Service logged 9,000 complaints concerning roofing construction, repairs, and weatherproofing. Among those, 2,205 were classified as suspected scams, marking an increase from 2,098 during the preceding year. Dame Clare Moriarty, chief executive of Citizens Advice, noted that scammers frequently exploit roofs because they are out of direct sight and difficult for residents to inspect independently. Furthermore, three quarters of these fraudsters utilize aggressive doorstep sales methods.
National Trading Standards chair Lord Bichard described the frauds as particularly cruel, noting that victims can lose their life savings within hours alongside suffering severe property damage and lasting emotional distress. Citizens Advice has advised consumers to remain alert against unsolicited callers, demand written quotes and reference checks, gather proper paperwork, and understand their statutory rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
What's next
National Trading Standards has indicated that it will actively pursue roofing fraudsters through available legal routes to address the financial hardship and property damage inflicted on victims.
Why it matters
The findings highlight a widespread consumer protection issue where vulnerable homeowners face severe financial loss and property damage due to aggressive rogue trading tactics, prompting calls for stricter trader verification and consumer awareness.
What we know
- Roofing scams accounted for one in 10 of all scams recorded by Citizens Advice over the past year.
