{
  "id": 15363496,
  "title": "£3,500 and no work done: the offer to help that’s really a roofing scam",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/3-500-and-no-work-done-the-offer-to-help-thats-really-a-roofing-scam",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-18T06:00:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Guardian Business",
    "slug": "guardian-business",
    "url": "https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/oct/18/suspected-roofing-frauds-top-citizens-advice-scam-list"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Citizens Advice warns that a growing number of people are falling victim to roofing scams, where criminals pose as roofers and offer to fix a loose tile on your roof for a price. However, when the builder inspects the roof, they discover a more serious problem with the gutters and wood around them, and claim that the only solution is to install rigid PVC trays to divert water. The criminals then take payment via bank transfer and disappear within an hour, having done no work. Citizens Advice has received over 2,200 complaints about suspected roofing frauds in the last year, a 10% increase from the previous year. The director of external affairs at Citizens Advice, Ruwani Purcell, says that the builders use persuasive tactics to gain your trust, and you may not be familiar with the terminology. To avoid falling for these scams, Citizens Advice advises being wary of unsolicited work, demanding written confirmation of the work and payment, checking the roofer's authenticity, and keeping records of any interactions.",
  "summary": "Citizens Advice warns of its No 1 scam as growing number of people are targeted by criminals posing as roofers The builder who calls at your door says they are doing some work in the area and has spotted a loose tile on your roof. They offer to fix it for a good price that you agree to. But when they go up on their ladder to inspect the problem, they see another problem. Rain has been splashing…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}