Residents are being urged to close the door on criminals, cold callers and fraudsters.
Trusted Trader Week 2026, which runs from 7-11 September, is a chance to home in on important advice – including how vital it is to know who a tradesperson is before you let them into your home.
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 access to a list of local and reputable vetted businesses.
You can search for Trusted Traders via the Trusted Trader website – as well as viewing feedback and comments left by previous customers. The scheme, which operates across the country, is supported by Police Scotland and Consumer Advice.
East Dunbartonshire 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:
- Never agree to work on the doorstep, however reasonable the person seems. A Trusted Trader will not cold call. If someone at your door has spotted a ‘problem’ with your roof or home, or has a price that is ‘only good today’, you do not owe them a conversation
- Not everyone is who they seem – only use reputable companies you have chosen and try to get three quotes (in writing). When in doubt ask friends/family or use official schemes such as Trusted Trader (rather than a directory anyone can pay to join)
- Even when you are expecting a tradesperson, if anything gives you concern then you are entitled to check. Take their details, close the door and look them up. A genuine business will not mind waiting
- 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
- Get a full business name and address you can check, not just a first name and a mobile number
- Watch out for fake claims and reviews – are they legitimate and backed up by evidence?
Councillor Paul Ferretti, Convener of the Council's Place, Neighbourhood and Corporate Assets Committee, said, “It is important that we all stay alert for possible doorstep crime and scams. 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.
“Most tradespeople are honest, skilled and do a good job, but scammers often know exactly how to look and what to say. A uniform, a van with a name and a confident manner can be very convincing – a rogue trader does not have to fit a stereotype.”
If you ever feel threatened or pressured, please say ‘no’ and contact Police Scotland on 101 (999 in an emergency).
You can also call Trading Standards on 0300 123 4510 and information can be passed on to Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555 111.
If you're planning to have work done on your property, visit the 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.
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 you to research 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 will do it. 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
- 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 anything done without your permission.
- Keep front and back doors locked (and windows) and use a door chain or bar when answering the door. Check first to see who is there if you can
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Check if the trader is registered at Companies House
- Sign up for Neighbourhood Watch Scotland alerts
- If you ever feel threatened or pressured, please say ‘no’ and contact Police Scotland on 101 (999 in an emergency).
- You can also call Trading Standards on 0300 123 4510 and information can be passed on to Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555 111.
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