Consumer Alerts - January 2026

Good morning,

Happy New Year. 

Please find this months advice and warnings regarding various bogus callers, scams and frauds around the areas where we live from our partners at Trading Standards at the Council. Please feel free to pass on to your families, friends, neighbours and anyone else who would benefit. 

Beware bogus roofers in Chorley 

Beware roofers who claim beams or rafters need strengthening otherwise they will not be strong enough to hold up the new felt, battens and tiles to be fitted. In all cases the extra work is advised of after the old roof tiles have been removed, the price escalates by a few thousand pounds for this alleged necessary work and householders have no choice but to agree so the roof work can be completed. In all cases traders have nailed lengths of wood to the already existing, unreplaced beams, serving no purpose. 

This scam was recently reported in the Chorley area – but the Service recognises it as a scam that is currently often used. 

Beware bogus tree surgeons in the Ribble Valley area  

One vulnerable elderly householder who was cold called by tree surgeons agreed to some work and paid £500.  After only a morning's work, the traders asked for a further payment of £500.  Luckily the neighbours stepped to prevent the extra payment.  Remember, for contracts made in your own home you should be provided with paperwork including details of the price to pay and your 14 day right to cancel. 

Facebook Market Place scam 

Use caution when buying items on Facebook Market Place.  Scammers on the Market Place are offering items such as dressing tables or other furniture for sale, requesting either a £15 deposit, or sometimes the whole amount by bank transfer.  A collection address is provided but when the purchaser arrives to collect the pre-paid for item, they find out the address provided is nothing to do with the alleged seller, but belongs to an innocent householder whose address has been given at random.  It is a scam purely to get upfront monetary payments.  Best advice is to pay on collection. 

Scam TV Licence text   

Be on the alert if you receive a text or email claiming your TV licence has expired, with a link to renew or set up a direct debit.  These are phishing scams trying to get bank account details or other personal information.  Many householders TV licences are set to automatically renew and such texts are just trying to catch you out.   

Scam Amazon postcard

Beware receiving an Amazon postcard inviting you to try out a new product, providing a QR code which takes you to a suspected malicious website which provides further details.  The postcard also provides an email address to allegedly receive a refund for trying out the new product but is a private Gmail or Outlook email address.  Beware, this is a phishing scam after personal and financial details.  

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.  

Contact the Trading Standards Service via the Citizens Advice consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133. 

Please be aware of a local scam that has been reported through to us in the Ingol and Tanterton area of late which has resulted in numerous people in the area being financially out of pocket. 

This scam involves puppies. The scam typically involves ads for non-existent puppies (via social media) at suspiciously low prices. The ‘seller’ provides interested buyers with pictures of an adorable puppy and then tricks them into paying fees for transport, customs or medical costs before the dog can be delivered. Payment for the puppy is asked via Apple Gift Cards which are purchased by the buyer, but then the ‘seller’ advises that they are already used once they have received the code and asks the buyer to purchase another one. Scammers prey upon individuals and families who just want to give a good dog a special home. 

Take care

PC Jenny, PCSO Jules, PCSO Joe