Scams awareness project warns of jolly “green” giant frauds

Many of us remember the laughing Jolly Green Giant from decades ago, advertising a well-known vegetable. Today, ‘Green’ is more about combating the global warming crisis. Last year’s COP26 summit, and the recent price rise in fossil fuels, means many people are looking to ‘go green’.

However, Age UK Cheshire East’s Scams Awareness Team, in partnership with Cheshire East Trading Standards, is warning people to be alert to frauds linked to going green. Anyone looking to do their bit for the environment could be susceptible to these types of fraud.

The project’s manager, Sally Wilson, said, “When we see a crisis, we look to see how we can help; but when fraudsters see a crisis, they look to see how they can make giant money. ‘Going green’ is no different. We hope these top tips will help people avoid becoming victims of fraud, whilst caring for their environment”.

Here’s what to look out for:

Government grant frauds - You may be offered a grant to pay for installation of loft/cavity insulation, low carbon heating or draught proofing. There are genuine schemes available, but fraudsters trick victims into signing up for work in their homes, only to find, once it is completed, that they weren’t eligible for any government grant.

Energy efficiency frauds - Fraudsters offer energy saving services which are either not needed or are of poor quality. Some include offering a free health check for the solar panels, or claim maintenance is needed. Others claim your current home insulation isn’t efficient or causes damp. The fraudsters are banking on you not understanding what is needed to keep your home safe, warm and efficient.

Charity fraud - We often think that we’re being green by donating unwanted clothes to charity, so others can get use from them. Unfortunately, alongside legitimate causes, fraudsters set up their own ‘charities’, or impersonate well known ones. They sell our pre-loved items for their own gain, with many tonnes ending up in landfill.

Fake organic and eco-friendly products - From organic carrots to eco-friendly shampoo; sometimes it can seem that going green isn’t cheap. Fraudsters play on the emotion of us wanting to help, but on a budget. Through misleading labelling or advertising, they claim products are more eco-friendly than they really are. Not only does this mean you’re buying products against your principles, it also means the products could be fake or dangerous.

So, here’s what you can do to avoid becoming a victim of eco-fraud:

Be proactive, not reactive – Instead of responding to offers too good to be true from cold calls, doorstep callers, leaflets, emails or adverts, decide how you want to go green and approach companies and organisations independently.

Check certified schemes - The national Green Homes Grant stopped taking applications on 31st March 2021. Therefore, any offer of support through that scheme is not genuine. Cheshire East Council and their partners offer advice and information on energy efficiency, insulation grants and offers; switching energy suppliers, managing fuel debt, renewable energy, and much more. They can be contacted via their website, on email at warm@cheshireeast.gov.uk or by calling
0300 123 5017 (option 4).

Check out eco-claims - If you’re buying eco goods in shops, at markets or online, research the company you’re buying from. The Competition and Markets Authority has developed the Green Claims Code, setting out 6 key points to check environmental claims are genuinely green:

https://greenclaims.campaign.gov.uk/.

Do your research - Fraudsters bank on appearing to know more than us about whatever they’re offering. Doing our research puts us in a stronger position.

Find out about the products and services you’re interested in and ask how you can check their claims. For energy efficiency home improvements, always get several quotes from reputable traders. Trading Standards approved companies can be found at:

https://www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk/

Get organised - Fraudsters will try to panic you into agreeing to something. Take time to organise paperwork so you’re in control of conversations. Visit local charity shops to deliver donations, so they are more likely to be sold directly to consumers.

Report it - If an offer is too good to be true - it usually is! So, it’s best to report anything that doesn’t sound right. You can do this by contacting Citizen Advice Customer Service, either online or by calling 0808 250 5050.

The Older Persons Scams Awareness & Aftercare Project offers further support and advice on spotting, avoiding and reporting fraud. They produce a monthly newsletter, deliver scams awareness sessions to groups. They advise and support older people who have been a victim of fraud, or want to find out how to avoid being scammed.

To find out more, please visit:

www.ageukce.org

...or contact Sally Wilson on:

01625 612958

...or enquiries@ageukce.org

Through the Older Persons Scams Awareness and Aftercare Project, Age UK Cheshire East want to do as much as we can to support older people, either directly or indirectly.

Further information about the project can be found at:

https://www.ageuk.org.uk/cheshireeast/our-services/scams-awareness/

Our Charity’s mission is to ‘improve later life for people in Cheshire East’. In 2018, it celebrated its 30^th anniversary, having provided help and support to many thousands of older people in Cheshire East since its formation back in 1988.

For more information, please contact Age UK Cheshire East on 01625 612958 or go to:

www.ageukce.org