Roofing scams surge as fraudsters prey on unsuspecting homeowners
Scammers posing as roofers have increasingly targeted residents in England and Wales, extracting large payments for work that is never performed.
A growing number of homeowners in England and Wales have fallen victim to scammers who masquerade as roofers, according to Citizens Advice, which logged more than 2,200 roofing-related complaints in the year to August—a rise of about 10% from the previous year. The typical scam begins with an unsolicited visit or an online inquiry, followed by a persuasive assessment that identifies multiple problems and demands immediate payment, often via bank transfer.
In a documented incident, a 65-year-old woman was convinced to hand over £3,500 after being told urgent work was required, yet the perpetrators left without completing any repairs. Experts warn that the invisible nature of roofs makes verification difficult, and they recommend obtaining references, securing written estimates, and consulting local council or TrustMark listings to confirm a trader’s legitimacy. Victims can invoke the Consumer Rights Act 2015 to seek remediation or refunds if work is substandard or not performed.
Why it matters
Homeowners need to recognize roofing scams to avoid losing large sums to fraudsters.
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