The accessibility tool on our website includes: ✔️Text to Speech software ✔️Font & colour customisation ✔️Reading accessibility tools ✔️Translation into over 130 languages Just click the circular ReciteMe icon to get started! ➡️https://www.tsscot.co.uk/

With products and services becoming more expensive, it's important to make sure that your consumer rights are upheld. Find out more about your rights at https://consumeradvice.scot/knowledge-centre/ or contact the Advice Direct Scotland team on 0808 164 6000 for support on consumer-related matters

Did you know that we are an official information provider on the Neighbourhood Watch Scotland Alert system? Find out more about signing up to receive alerts and how to opt in to receive Trading Standards information if you're already registered 👉 https://ow.ly/G92U50XNHrx

Our cold caller checklist may be useful for those who are worried about rogue traders or who don’t feel confident dealing with cold callers View it online or download & print: https://www.tsscot.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Consumer-Checklist.pdf #ConfidentConsumer

Almost half of Scots (46%) have experienced an aggressive or misleading sales transaction Do you know how to recognise misleading or aggressive sales practices and what to do if you experience them? Find out more about your consumer rights ➡️ https://consumeradvice.scot/knowledge-centre/

If your home needs repairs/improvements this winter do plenty of research and avoid fake reviews: ☑️Base your choice on credible reviews: check at least 3 sites ☑️Get different quotes from trusted companies ☑️Check they're members of an approved trader scheme/professional trade organisation

Did you know that you can report online scam ads in paid-for space, including ads on newspaper websites, paid-for search engine ads or ads appearing on social media? Find out more and report suspected scam ads: https://www.asa.org.uk/make-a-complaint/report-an-online-scam-ad.html

Our #ScamShare bulletin will return next week, with information and advice about the latest email, doorstep, phone and cyber scams affecting Scottish consumers. Sign up to receive the bulletin here: https://mailchi.mp/79a5dd06fd6a/scamshare Report all scams to Advice Direct Scotland

Do you have friends or relatives who are bothered by scam calls? Our PDF with information about common scam calls and how to avoid them can be printed off for those who are not online 👇 #ScamShare #ScamAware https://www.tsscot.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Phone-Scam-Information.pdf

Worried about scams? Check out our 22 #ScamShare Spotlights which feature examples of common scams and how to avoid them 👇 They can be viewed online or printed off and shared with those not online https://www.tsscot.co.uk/scamshare/

Have you experienced a scam? If you're in Scotland, report it to Advice Direct Scotland on 0808 164 6000 or via https://scamwatch.consumeradvice.scot/ Stay #ScamAware

🎄Day 12 of the 12 Scam Tips of Christmas - Sun, Sea and… Scams? Looking ahead to sunnier days and thinking of booking your next holiday? Avoid common travel scams… Find out more ➡️https://www.tsscot.co.uk/holiday-scams/

🎄Day 11 of the 12 Scam Tips of Christmas - Save on Energy Bills? If you’re thinking of making your home more energy efficient this winter, avoid misleading info and scams… Find out more ➡️https://www.tsscot.co.uk/spotlight-energy/

🎄Day 10 of the 12 Scam Tips of Christmas - Bills Piling Up? If you’re struggling financially after Christmas, know how to recognise and avoid loan fee fraud and loan sharks… Find out more ➡️https://www.tsscot.co.uk/spotlight-loans/

🎄Day 9 of the 12 Scam Tips of Christmas - Subscription Expired? If you’re looking for a new show to watch over the holidays, be wary of scams messages about streaming services… Find out more ➡️https://www.tsscot.co.uk/spotlight-service-provider/

🎄Day 8 of the 12 Scam Tips of Christmas: Winter Leaks? Rogue traders often look to take advantage of homeowners whose properties have been damaged in stormy weather Find out more➡️https://www.tsscot.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Roofing-QA.pdf

Happy New Year! 🎄Day 7 of the 12 Scam Tips of Christmas - Unwanted Presents for Sale? If you’re selling unwanted presents via Facebook Marketplace, be wary of scammers posing as buyers… Find out more ➡️https://www.tsscot.co.uk/online-shopping/

🎄Day 6 of the 12 Scam Tips of Christmas - Is My Drink Real? There are several ways to spot fake alcohol – if in any doubt the best advice is not to buy/drink it More ➡️www.foodstandards.gov.scot/business-guidance/running-a-food-business/food-crime-and-your-business/illegal-and-counterfeit-alcohol

🎄Day 5 of the 12 Scam Tips of Christmas - Festive Winner? Find out how to recognise and avoid competition and prize draw scams over the festive period ➡️https://www.tsscot.co.uk/spotlight-prize-draw/

🎄Day 4 of the 12 Scam Tips of Christmas - Secondhand Rights? Know your consumer rights when buying secondhand goods online. It doesn’t matter whether you’ve bought an item new or secondhand – you still have rights. More ➡️www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/somethings-gone-wrong-with-a-purchase/

Have you signed up to the Neighbourhood Watch Scotland Alert system? You'll receive alerts about local crime prevention and safety issues from partners such as Police Scotland and Trading Standards. Find out more 👇 https://www.neighbourhoodwatchscotland.co.uk/

🎄Day 3 of the 12 Scam Tips of Christmas - Missing Package? If you've ordered items in the sales, make sure you know how to recognise and avoid delivery scams... Find out more ➡️https://www.tsscot.co.uk/spotlight-delivery/

🎄Day 2 of the 12 Scam Tips of Christmas - Sale or scam? Seen an ad for an online sale with big discounts on your favourite brands? Make sure you avoid clicking on a scam... Find out more ➡️https://www.tsscot.co.uk/online-shopping/

Today we're launching our 12 Scam Tips of Christmas campaign to raise awareness of common issues/scams over the festive period 🎄Day 1: Disappointing Presents? Has a present turned out to be faulty/not as described? Worried it's fake? ➡️www.tsscot.co.uk/priority-areas/counterfeit-goods-online/

Merry Christmas from all the staff at Trading Standards Scotland!

Our full A-Z of scams has now been published! Find out more: 💻on our website: https://www.tsscot.co.uk/a-z-scams/ 📹or watch on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrFecxRhIhT8YGlmRJy95b0ZiAHdXurO8 Please share with family/friends and stay safe over the festive period🎄

A-Z of scams: Zip broken (counterfeit clothes) 👚made from cheap, substandard materials 🥾may contain allergens or dangerous chemicals Buy from reputable retailers where possible - be wary of branded clothes at prices much lower than in official stores https://www.tsscot.co.uk/a-z-scams/

Be #ScamAware of WhatsApp messages asking you to click a link and fill out a survey to win a Cadbury 'Christmas Chocolate Magic Basket' This is not a legitimate giveaway - the aim is to gather your details ➡️ https://mailchi.mp/42a4363bf9c0/trading-standards-scotland-bulletin-19-december#Recent4

A-Z of scams: "You've Won!" (prize draw scams) 💻Emails saying you've won a prize / been chosen to participate in a loyalty scheme 💻Social media posts asking you to take a survey to win Always verify that a competition is legitimate before taking part https://www.tsscot.co.uk/a-z-scams/

Electrical Safety First have published their top tips to help consumers avoid potentially dangerous counterfeit goods when shopping online this festive season 👇 https://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/christmas

A-Z of scams: X-rays (counterfeit electrical goods) 🔌don't meet basic safety standards 🔌can cause electric shocks or fires Buy from reputable retailers where possible - if you're worried an electrical product is fake, don't use it https://www.tsscot.co.uk/a-z-scams/

There has been a huge increase in "Hello Mum/Dad" scams on WhatsApp, where fraudsters pose as a family member and ask for money Our #ScamShare Spotlight PDF has some real-life examples of these scams and advice on how to avoid them ➡️https://www.tsscot.co.uk/spotlight-whatsapp/

A-Z of scams: WhatsApp scams 📱Messages starting "Hello Mum/Dad" asking for money urgently to pay a bill / buy a new phone Verify the identity of anyone asking you for money - call your friend/family member directly or ask them to share a voice note https://www.tsscot.co.uk/a-z-scams/

Consumers are being warned be wary of unsafe products that could pose serious safety risks Dangerous items seized include: ⚠️fake ‘Dragon Slayer’ toys ⚠️Christmas lights ⚠️children’s toys ⚠️telescopic ladders ➡️ https://mailchi.mp/42a4363bf9c0/trading-standards-scotland-bulletin-19-december#Recent2

A-Z of scams: Vehicle Tax scams 💻Emails saying a vehicle tax payment has failed 💻Emails saying you have overpaid your car tax and are owed a refund DVLA won't send emails that ask you to confirm payment details or click a link to claim a refund https://www.tsscot.co.uk/a-z-scams/

All the videos in our A-Z of scams published so far (A-U) can also be viewed on our YouTube channel! 👇 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrFecxRhIhT8YGlmRJy95b0ZiAHdXurO8

There are loads of online ads offering amazing investment opportunities- the image below shows what the ads actually mean⬇️ Be wary of ads offering huge returns for a small initial payment- always check a company is authorised by the FCA before investing https://www.tsscot.co.uk/financial-scams/

A-Z of scams: "Unbelievable" investments 💻Social media ads/messages offering amazing investment opportunities 💻Social media ads offering quick & easy loans Before making an investment or applying for a loan, check the company is regulated by the FCA https://www.tsscot.co.uk/a-z-scams/

Avoid dangerous counterfeit toys online this Christmas: ✔️Buy from reputable retailers ✔️Look for the Lion Mark or CE marking ✔️Be wary of prices that are much lower than in official stores ✔️Check for spelling and grammar mistakes Read more➡️ https://www.tsscot.co.uk/counterfeit-toys/

A-Z of scams: Toys (counterfeit) 🧸may contain dangerous materials & toxic chemicals 🎎may pose a choking hazard / strangulation risk Buy from reputable retailers where possible - be wary of branded toys at prices much lower than in official stores https://www.tsscot.co.uk/a-z-scams/

A-Z of scams: Service provider scams 📱Cold calls saying your broadband will be disconnected 📱Cold calls asking for remote access to your device to fix a problem Legitimate providers won't call unexpectedly to ask for bank details / to access your device https://www.tsscot.co.uk/a-z-scams/

We've compiled a list of some of the most common scams that featured in our #ScamShare bulletin throughout 2025 👇 Report all scams to Advice Direct Scotland on 0808 164 6000 or via scamwatch.scot #ScamShare ➡️ https://mailchi.mp/42a4363bf9c0/trading-standards-scotland-bulletin-19-december#Recent1

In the last #ScamShare bulletin of 2025: 🗨️Common Scams in 2025 🗨️Christmas Safety Warning: Hazardous Counterfeit Goods 🗨️Amazon QR Code Scam 🗨️Cadbury Christmas Giveaway Scam 🗨️Online Shopping: Your Rights 🗨️GP Scam Calls ➡️ https://mailchi.mp/42a4363bf9c0/trading-standards-scotland-bulletin-19-december

Companies such as Microsoft, Amazon and telecoms providers will NEVER call unexpectedly and ask you to download software or to allow them to access your computer remotely. Read more in our #ScamShare PDF on remote access scams ➡️https://www.tsscot.co.uk/spotlight-remote-access/

A-Z of scams - Remote Access scams 📱Cold callers who ask you to give them remote access to your computer/device to 'fix' a problem Never follow instructions from a cold caller to download an app or software which would let them access your computer remotely https://www.tsscot.co.uk/a-z-scams/

There have been lots of reports this year of scam QR codes being stuck on parking meters Rather than scanning QR codes it's safest to pay using an official app downloaded from your smartphone’s app store, or cash/card if possible Read more➡️https://ow.ly/AZ4U50XKPpy

A-Z of scams: QR Code scams 🅿️Criminals sticking codes on top of legitimate QR codes on parking meters/charging points ✉️Notes impersonating delivery companies asking you to scan a QR code to rearrange a delivery Always review a QR code's URL before opening it https://www.tsscot.co.uk/a-z-scams/

A-Z of scams: Phone contract scams 📱Cold calls offering a cheaper phone contract 📱Cold calls offering a new phone/upgrade Never give any details to a cold caller or agree to make a payment on the spot - verify their identity & do some research first https://www.tsscot.co.uk/a-z-scams/

Using an unfamiliar online store? Genuine websites/sellers should list: ✔️Returns policies and T&Cs ✔️Cancellation rights ✔️A valid return address and contact details. If a UK website has a returns address overseas, be suspicious ➡️https://www.tsscot.co.uk/online-shopping/

Top tips for shopping online safely: 💳 Pay by credit card for stronger protection ❓ Check independent reviews of the seller/store ☎️ Make sure you have contact info for the seller in case something goes wrong 📦 Check the site’s return policy and T&Cs https://www.tsscot.co.uk/online-shopping/