Trading Standards Scotland
banner
tsscot.bsky.social
Trading Standards Scotland
@tsscot.bsky.social
Trading Standards Scotland is the national coordinating body for Trading Standards and consumer protection issues across Scotland.

https://www.tsscot.co.uk/
A-Z of scams: Loan scams

📱Social media ads or unsolicited emails offering quick & easy loans

📱Being asked to pay an up-front fee before receiving a loan

When applying for a loan, only deal with firms authorised by the FCA - check the Financial Services Register at register.fca.org.uk
December 12, 2025 at 8:40 AM
Have you seen our #ConfidentConsumer advert?👇

If you’ve experienced misleading or aggressive sales practices, you can report the trader to Trading Standards by calling 0808 164 6000 or visiting https://scamwatch.scot
December 11, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Our #ConsumerConfidence cold caller checklist may be useful for those who are worried about rogue traders or who don't feel confident dealing with cold callers

Download & print ➡️https://www.tsscot.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Consumer-Checklist.pdf
December 11, 2025 at 1:15 PM
A-Z of scams: Know your consumer rights

If you think you've been scammed or if you're having an issue with a trader/purchase, contact Advice Direct Scotland for advice & support

Visit www.consumeradvice.scot for more info or call 0808 164 6000 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm)
December 11, 2025 at 11:10 AM
In this week's #ScamShare bulletin:

💬Energy Survey Scams
💬Recruitment Scams
💬Bin Cleaning Scams
💬Broadband Equipment Insurance Scams
💬Choose a Loan Shark Free Christmas
💬Fake Reviews Online

Read & share➡️ https://mailchi.mp/0d23f0951297/trading-standards-scotland-bulletin-11-december
December 11, 2025 at 8:40 AM
A-Z of scams: Job scams

📱Unexpected WhatsApp message offering well-paid, flexible work

💻Fake recruiter asking for personal info & bank details to pay for training

Don't provide details/payments unless you've verified that the sender is a legitimate recruiter

https://www.tsscot.co.uk/a-z-scams/
December 10, 2025 at 8:40 AM
Today in the A-Z of scams: Insurance/warranty scams

📱Cold calls offering a better deal for appliance insurance

📱 Cold callers saying your appliance warranty is due for renewal

Don't give any details to a cold caller - if in doubt, contact the original supplier

https://www.tsscot.co.uk/a-z-scams/
December 9, 2025 at 9:01 AM
Be #ScamAware of automated calls supposedly from HMRC which claim that an arrest warrant has been issued as you have violated tax regulations

HMRC will never leave a message threatening legal action or arrest

Read more➡️https://www.tsscot.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Spotlight-HMRC.pdf
December 8, 2025 at 12:25 PM
A-Z of scams: HMRC scams

📱Cold calls saying you owe HMRC money in unpaid tax

💻Emails saying you're eligible to receive a tax refund

Be suspicious if you get an unexpected call/text/email supposedly from HMRC asking for money / offering financial help

https://www.tsscot.co.uk/a-z-scams/
December 8, 2025 at 9:48 AM
A-Z of scams: Gift Card scams

💻Messages that seem to be from a friend asking you to buy a gift card urgently as they are unable to do it themselves

Always verify that the request is genuine by calling the person who supposedly sent it on a trusted number

https://www.tsscot.co.uk/a-z-scams/
December 7, 2025 at 11:10 AM
Fake online reviews are estimated to potentially influence £23 billion of UK consumer spending every year

This festive season, follow these tips to stay safe when shopping online 👇

https://www.tsscot.co.uk/fake-online-reviews/
December 6, 2025 at 3:05 PM
A-Z of scams: Fake reviews online

Check for:

✅Multiple similar reviews uploaded around the same time

✅The reviewer's history - have they reviewed lots of similar products?

✅Vague, generic language - fake reviews may not have specific details

https://www.tsscot.co.uk/a-z-scams/
December 6, 2025 at 9:50 AM
Today in the A-Z of scams: Energy scams

📱Cold calls saying there's an issue with your insulation

📱Cold calls about grants for energy efficiency measures

If you want to make your home more energy efficient seek impartial advice from @HomeEnergyScot

https://www.tsscot.co.uk/a-z-scams/
December 5, 2025 at 8:51 AM
A-Z of scams: Delivery Scams

📱Messages saying you missed a delivery, with a link to rearrange

📱Messages asking you to pay an extra delivery fee

Legitimate parcel delivery services will not contact you unexpectedly to ask for personal/payment details

https://www.tsscot.co.uk/a-z-scams/
December 4, 2025 at 11:10 AM
In this week's #ScamShare bulletin:

💬Amazon Refund Scams
💬Window and Door Discount Scams
💬Compensation Scams
💬Roofing Scams
💬Donate to Charity Safely
💬Gift Card Scams

Please read & share➡️https://mailchi.mp/5ecd8217c0e9/trading-standards-scotland-bulletin-4-december
December 4, 2025 at 8:35 AM
Today in the A-Z of scams: Cold Callers

🚪Offering deals on gardening/maintenance work

🚪Saying they're repairing roads and offering to do your driveway with leftover tar

Don't deal with cold callers - find trusted traders at www.approvedtrader.scot

https://www.tsscot.co.uk/a-z-scams/
December 3, 2025 at 8:32 AM
Today in the A-Z of scams: Bank scams

📱Calls about suspicious transactions, asking you to transfer money to a safe account

💻Messages saying your account is compromised

Banks will NOT cold call & ask you to move money to another account

https://www.tsscot.co.uk/a-z-scams/ #ScamShare
December 2, 2025 at 8:35 AM
First in the A-Z of scams - Amazon scams

📱Calls saying a suspicious purchase has been made

📱Messages saying your subscription will be automatically renewed

Don't deal with cold callers - if in doubt log in to your account

➡️ https://www.tsscot.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Spotlight-Amazon.pdf
December 1, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Today we're launching our A-Z of scams👇

Over the festive period scammers will try to exploit people's worries about rising costs & bills, so we're highlighting 26 scams to be aware of

We'll focus on one letter a day - keep an eye out for A later today!

https://www.tsscot.co.uk/a-z-scams/
December 1, 2025 at 2:55 PM
43% of respondents to this year's Big Scottish Scam Survey had experienced a delivery scam

If you're expecting a delivery, track it on the company’s official website rather than using links/contact details provided in an unexpected message

Read examples➡️ mailchi.mp/58c29d8b7328...
August 25, 2025 at 1:33 PM
The results of the Big Scottish Scam Survey 2025 are in!

The 10 most common scams in Scotland are:

🏠Energy Scams
📦Delivery Scams
💳HMRC Scams
🎉Prize Draw Scams
📱WhatsApp Scams
💷Bank Scams
📺Amazon Scams
🛒Online Shopping Scams
💻Broadband Scams
🪙Investment Scams

Read more ➡️ mailchi.mp/10cdd430e0e8...
August 19, 2025 at 8:48 AM
In this week's #ScamShare bulletin:

🗨️Parking Fine Scams
🗨️Counterfeit Labubu Dolls
🗨️Doorstep Scams: Broadband
🗨️Investment Scams: Quantum AI
🗨️Enjoy a #SharkFreeSummer - campaign from @stoploansharks.bsky.social
🗨️Safe For Work: Tips to Stay Safe Online

Read & share ➡️ mailchi.mp/1870f4f2a496...
July 31, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Be #ScamAware of messages asking you to apply for the winter fuel allowance

If you're eligible to receive any payments, you don't need to apply for them. You'll be paid automatically in the same way you usually get your benefit or tax credits

Read more ➡️ mailchi.mp/66f69a00eb1b...
July 29, 2025 at 9:08 AM
In this week's #ScamShare bulletin:

🗨️Streaming Service Scams
🗨️Microsoft Impersonation Scams
🗨️Booking .com Scams
🗨️Doorstep Scams: Tarmac
🗨️ 'Ex-Offender' Doorstep Scams
🗨️Locksmith Scams

Please read & share➡️ mailchi.mp/f29d736314b7...
July 18, 2025 at 10:21 AM
Doorstep scammers are offering special deals on solar panels, saying you'll get 'free electricity for life'

Rather than dealing with cold callers, find installers who are registered with the Microgeneration Certification Scheme: mcscertified.com

➡️ mailchi.mp/3b66e5818663...
July 16, 2025 at 3:29 PM