Consumer Alerts – February 2026
Beware bogus roofers in Preston
Traders offering to clean gutters cold
called at a Preston householder who
agreed to the work for £20. The traders
then identified some broken and cracked
roof tiles worrying the householder about
possible water ingress. The householder
agreed to their offer to carry out repair
work, using spare roof tiles the
householder had in storage. After 30
minutes the traders stated they had
finished and demanded £1200.
Beware cold callers offering
insulation services
A vulnerable householder in the Ribble
Valley received such a visit, agreed to
insulation being fitted in the attic space,
and the work began within two days of it
being agreed. The workers arrived
without a ladder asking where the
nearest stockist of insulation products
would be. After a few hours of work
immediate payment of £3000 was asked
for.
Trading Standards advice is to always
say no to cold callers. The Safetrader
scheme can help you find a trader in
your area, contact 0303 333 1111 or
go to www.safetrader.org.uk.
Do not deal with cold callers, get quotes,
giving you time to think and to get other
prices for the work. Remember, if you
agree to a contract in your own home,
you will have a 14 day right to cancel.
Cryptocurrency investment scam
The scam uses celebrity endorsements
and persuasive advertising on Facebook
to build trust and encourage an initial
investment of £200. The investor is then
contacted by a trader via WhatsApp and
persuaded to invest a substantially larger
sum with the promise of early retirement.
Despite warnings from the bank, one
Lancashire victim transferred £30,000 to
accounts provided by the trader who
they had built a rapport with. The trader
is now uncontactable, and the company
appears to have no legitimate presence.
Be cautious of investment opportunities
advertised on social media or endorsed
by celebrities, they can often be fake.
Never transfer money based on pressure
or promises of quick wealth. Check if the
firm is authorised by the Financial
Conduct Authority (FCA).
Amazon pass-code scam
Beware receiving a phone call alleging to
be from Amazon, claiming there is
suspicious activity on your account,
including high value purchases being
made from it. The scammer, who
probably already has your email address
and mobile number, perhaps from a
previous data breach, will have already
tried to access your Amazon account.
Accessing your account from a new
device triggers a legitimate text or email
from Amazon containing a passcode.
The caller will ask for this passcode,
giving them the final piece of information
they need to access your account.
Be suspicious if receiving such a call, the
number could be spoofed, impersonating
a legitimate Amazon contact number.
Never share any passcode provided.
Contact the Trading Standards
Service via the Citizens Advice
consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133.