Residents are being urged to close the door on criminals, cold callers and fraudsters.
Trusted Trader Week is taking place from 1-7 September 2025 – warning people to 'Beware of Bogus Businesses'.
If you're planning to call in the experts – from plumbers and builders to bathroom fitters and roofers – the East Dunbartonshire Trusted Trader scheme has got you covered.
The initiative, which is supported by the Council and Trading Standards, provides easy access to a list of local and reputable vetted businesses.
You can search for Trusted Traders via the website, as well as viewing feedback and comments left by previous customers. There are 22 local members, with more currently going through the vetting process.
The Trusted Trader scheme is supported by Police Scotland and Consumer Advice Scotland.
The Council’s Trading Standards team is responsible for overseeing the initiative locally – vetting prospective members, regularly examining business practices, and monitoring reviews and feedback.
Key advice for residents:
- Not everyone is who they seem – only use reputable companies and try to get three quotes. When in doubt ask friends/family or use official schemes such as East Dunbartonshire Trusted Trader
- Say no to doorstep traders and cold callers, for example, offering to repair a loose roof tile or your driveway – you could end up out of pocket. Only use reputable firms you have chosen.
- Hang up on telephone scams – they may claim to be from an official organisation, such as the Council, or they may say you are entitled to free energy grants. If it's too good to be true then it likely is.
- Watch out for fake claims and reviews – is the review website legitimate and can claims be backed up with evidence?
- Delete unsolicited and spam email – from insulation grants to ‘lotto wins’ – never reply to a spam/suspect email and do not open links in suspicious emails. Do your own research and contact firms directly.
Trusted Trader Week is a timely reminder for everyone to remain vigilant, and help to reduce doorstep crime and scams.
Councillor Ferretti added, "If you're planning to have work done on your property, check out the East Dunbartonshire Trusted Trader website – where you can search for a business and view comments from previous customers. It's also the place to go if you're a local trader and interested in joining the scheme.”
The Trusted Trader initiative is centred around a Code of Practice, which covers:
- Transparent procedures for quoting and carrying out work
- Only charging a fair and reasonable price
- Dealing with complaints promptly.
Councillor Ferretti added, "Taking some simple precautions can help you to avoid falling victim to bogus callers and rogue traders. Don't allow anyone you're not expecting into your home and never pay up front for work still to be carried out.
"Please don't feel pressured into making decisions quickly – legitimate traders will be comfortable returning at a later date, which gives you a chance to carry out your own research."
Further advice:
- Be wary if someone turns up unexpectedly. If you’re not sure, don’t answer the door. Don’t feel embarrassed – genuine callers expect you to be careful.
- Don’t allow anyone you’re not expecting to enter your home or to carry out work. Only let callers in if they have an appointment and you have confirmed they are genuine – ALWAYS ask for official identification.
- Check if your home insurance covers you
- Don’t panic buy or be pressured into making a quick decision – legitimate traders will be comfortable returning at a later date, allowing research of their business
- Get quotes from reputable trusted traders (multiple quotes where possible)
- Use personal recommendations from people you know who have used the trader before (not just social media)
- Get a fixed price and schedule of works in writing. Agree what will be done, when and who by. Know who you are dealing with – not just first names.
- If it’s not an emergency repair then use your 14 days 'cooling-off' period to think about it
- Be wary of traders who claim they can start immediately, but demand large sums of cash or a bank transfer up front. Never agree to pay in advance for work yet to be carried out.
- Often, dodgy callers will claim to be already working in the area or for one of your neighbours and may start with a relatively small job to gain “trust”. Don’t agree to more work on the spot and don’t pay for work done without your permission.
- Keep front and back doors locked (and windows), and use a door chain or bar when answering the door. Use the door viewer or nearby window when answering the door.
- If you decide to have work done, make staged payments, do not keep excess cash in the house and where possible pay via credit card/bank transfer – ensuring the recipient account is in the name of the trader you are dealing with
- Look out for others in your community and report suspicious activity immediately
- Check if the trader is registered at Companies House
- Sign up for Neighbourhood Watch Scotland alerts via the website.
If you ever feel threatened or pressured, please say “no” and contact Police Scotland on 101 (999 in an emergency) or Trading Standards on 0300 123 4510. Information can also be passed on to Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555 111.
For more information and advice:
