Almost half of Scots fall victim to banned sales tactics, poll suggests

Almost half of Scots have been targeted by aggressive or misleading sales tactics, a new poll suggests.

The survey, conducted for Trading Standards Scotland (TSS), revealed 46% of participants had encountered banned practices used by rogue traders.

Around a third (33%) said they were misled into completing a sale but only one in five of those reported the incident to the authorities.

The ScotPulse survey of 1,063 people comes as TSS launches a nationwide Know Your Rights campaign to help Scots understand their protections and report scams and dishonest sellers.

Examples include an elderly woman from Fife who lost £3,000 after a sales team posing as NHS workers spent more than two hours in her home, pressuring her into buying a new mattress.

Experts also uncovered cases where traders stayed in homes until midnight, with one locksmith even locking a customer out of their own property.

The survey also found that just under a third (31%) of Scots said their physical health, mental wellbeing, or both had been affected by misleading or aggressive sales tactics.

Only 28% were aware that money could potentially be reclaimed from financial institutions after being misled.

TSS is urging people not to engage with cold callers and instead to seek reputable local traders.

Chief officer Fiona Richardson said: “It is shocking that so many people in Scotland are falling victim to misleading and aggressive sales tactics.

“This poll shows the scale of the problem, with almost half of people experiencing this kind of appalling behaviour.

“Traders who offer fake discounts or falsely claim extra work is needed are not just being dishonest – they are breaking the law.

“The impact goes beyond financial loss. It causes stress and anxiety, particularly for older or more vulnerable people.

“We urge consumers not to deal with cold callers. Instead, look for trusted local businesses through approved trader schemes backed by Trading Standards.

“Always research a company before agreeing to any work. Online adverts can be misleading and reviews can be faked. Take your time. A pushy pitch is often a red flag.

“It is vital that consumers feel confident standing up to these tactics and know there is help available.”