Trading Standards Scotland Launches its Take Control of the Small Things Energy Scams Awareness Campaign

That the Parliament welcomes the launch of the Take Control of the Small Things campaign by Trading Standards Scotland (TSS), which is running throughout October 2026; notes with concern reports that £276,731 was lost to energy scams in Scotland in 2025, representing a loss of over £5,000 every week; understands that 48% of people in Scotland are worried about affording their household energy bills this winter, and a third have been approached with offers of cheap or free energy-saving products in the past year; condemns the predatory practices of fraudsters who impersonate local councils, energy suppliers or Scottish Government schemes to pressure householders into paying for unnecessary or damaging work; supports TSS's advice to householders to avoid cold callers and to verify the credentials of anyone claiming to represent a public body; highlights the trusted, impartial advice available through Home Energy Scotland and the directory of vetted traders, and encourages anyone who encounters suspicious activity or falls victim to a scam to report it.