Roofing Scams Become Most Reported Consumer Fraud, Citizens Advice Warns
Complaints about fraudulent roofers rose 10% in England and Wales as rogue traders pressured homeowners into paying for nonexistent repairs.
At a glance
- Citizens Advice received over 2,200 reports of roofing scams in England and Wales in the year to August, up roughly 10%.
- More than 75% of reported roofing frauds began with cold callers claiming to have spotted damage on the victim's roof.
- Experts advise homeowners to avoid unrequested doorstep tradespeople and use verification services like the TrustMark scheme.
Suspected roofing fraud has emerged as the most common scam reported to Citizens Advice over the past year, with complaints across England and Wales climbing by approximately 10%.
In the year leading up to August, the charity received more than 2,200 reports involving rogue traders targeting homeowners. The vast majority of these cases—more than three-quarters—began with an unexpected knock on the door, where fraudsters claimed to have noticed loose tiles, rotting timber, or damaged guttering while working nearby.
Ruwani Purcell, director of external affairs at Citizens Advice, warned that criminals exploit the fact that roofs are out of sight and difficult for property owners to inspect independently. Perpetrators often use persuasive language and industry jargon to convince victims that urgent repairs are essential to prevent severe weather damage. In the most severe instances, scammers have used aggressive and intimidating tactics to extract immediate payment through bank transfers or cash before departing without completing any genuine work.
While doorstep visits remain the primary tactic, fraudulent traders also seek out targets on online platforms. In one instance documented by the charity, a 65-year-old woman seeking help for a dripping gutter agreed to an initial £250 repair. Two men inspected her roof, falsely claimed they found extensive deterioration, and presented a bucket of crumbling cement to justify immediate intervention. The men subsequently intimidated the woman in the dark until she transferred £3,500, after which she discovered that no work had actually been performed.
Citizens Advice advised consumers never to agree to unsolicited offers of home maintenance or hand over money on the spot. Legitimate builders do not demand immediate payment or refuse written confirmations. Homeowners are advised to request written quotes, check references, and verify tradespeople through local council directories or the government-backed TrustMark scheme. The charity also noted that customers harmed by substandard or unfinished work are protected under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, which provides the right to request repairs or a refund when evidence and receipts are retained.
Source: The Guardian Business.
Questions and answers
- How common are roofing scams in England and Wales?
- Citizens Advice logged more than 2,200 roofing scam complaints in the year to August, making it the charity's top reported consumer scam.
- What tactics do rogue roofers typically use?
- Scammers usually cold-call at doors, claim to see hidden damage, and use persuasive or intimidating tactics to demand immediate payment for work they never perform.
- How can homeowners protect themselves from roofing fraud?
- Homeowners should reject unsolicited door-to-door work, demand written quotes, avoid immediate payments, and check traders on local council lists or TrustMark.
