Council warn against cold callers

Consumers in Orkney are being warned to be cautious regarding phone calls from companies offering assistance in applying for the Government’s Green Deal Scheme, which has been set up to help people to make their homes more energy efficient.

The advice from Orkney Islands Council’s Trading Standards Service is to remember that no grants are provided through the Green Deal scheme. Instead, consumers who take up the scheme pay back the cost of the energy efficiency improvements over time through their electricity bills. The first step in the process is a home assessment – and this is the service the companies are offering when they call.

Trading Standards’ general advice is that consumers should not give their bank details to cold callers, and not to agree to any contract until they have had time to shop around and consider their options. A number of companies offer to carry out Green Deal assessments, but not all are approved by the scheme.

Further information on the Green Deal scheme – including a list of approved businesses – is available via Home Energy Scotland’s website at web address  www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/scotland/Take-action/Find-a-grant/Green-Deal-and-ECO or by phoning 0808 808 2282.

To contact Trading Standards call 01856 873535