22/09/2025
How to avoid loft insulation scams:
📞Be wary of cold calls: Reputable companies don't typically rely on cold calling to generate business.
🧐Verify credentials: Always check the legitimacy of any company before agreeing to any work.
👥Get a second opinion: Don't feel pressured to decide immediately. Get a second opinion from a trusted professional.
😈Be cautious of scare tactics: Don't be pressured by claims about health risks or insurance issues.
📖Research insulation: Understand the potential benefits and drawbacks before considering it.
❌Don't be afraid to say no: If you're not interested, tell the company you don't want to be contacted further.
✔️Report suspicious activity: If you suspect a scam, report it to the relevant authorities, such as Trading Standards.
How some loft scams work
🤥False Claims: Cold callers, sometimes using names similar to legitimate organizations, claim the existing insulation (often spray foam) is causing damp, structural problems, or issues with insurance or property sales.
😈Pressure Tactics: Scammers pressure homeowners into agreeing to removal and replacement, often on the spot, and may demand immediate payment.
⚠"Free" Inspections: Scammers may offer a free loft survey, but this is often a tactic to identify potential victims and pressure them into unnecessary work.
👻The Disappearing Act: The original company that installed the insulation may have disappeared or stopped trading, making it harder to verify claims or seek redress.
🦸♂️"Rescue" Offer: The same or linked company may then offer to remove the "faulty" insulation, usually at a significant cost.
Cold callers:
🚪 We advise that you don’t engage with anyone at the door, and never invite a cold caller into your home.
☎️ Never respond to offers of home repair work you receive via text or phone - consider a call blocker to stop unwanted and nuisance calls on your landline.
✔ Ask your local police or Trading Standards service for a free No Cold Calling sticker for your front door.
that when you arrange a service online, over the phone, or by a salesman visiting your home, you have a 14-day cooling-off period? This means you can cancel for any reason and get your money back!
Your 1️⃣4️⃣day cooling-off period starts the day after you agree to the contract, whether it's written down or a verbal agreement.
⚠ WARNING – High pressured sales tactics ask that you waive these rights for a special price – Don’t!
1️⃣4️⃣ days is the minimum cooling-off period that a seller visiting your home or calling you must give you. In this time, you can cancel for any reason!
📧To cancel your contract within the 14 days, you should ideally send an email so that you have a written record. If you are unable to cancel in writing, then you can phone but please make a note of who you speak to and the time and date. Follow this up with a letter or email. If you paid a deposit, you should get it back.
💰Getting your money back: If you paid up front or made a deposit and cancel in the cooling-off period you’ll be entitled to receive all the money back. The only exception is if you asked for services to be provided during the cooling-off period, in which case the business will keep what’s necessary to cover the cost of services provided up until you cancelled.
Reporting dodgy sellers!
This applies to those selling goods or services such as loft insulation
🚓If you feel like you’re in danger at any point, you should call the police on 999 or on the non-emergency number 101.
👍You can report dodgy salespeople to Citizens Advice who can pass complaints to your local Trading Standards authority. https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/get-more-help/report-to-trading-standards/
📲Report scam or spam texts to your mobile phone provider by forwarding the message to 7726.
✅If you've been scammed out of any money, contact your bank immediately and report the scam to or call the police on 101
