What the checker is for

If a trader has said or done something that feels off, this tool helps you work out whether it matches the tactics scammers tend to use. You describe what happened in your own words, and you get a plain reading of whether the behaviour looks dodgy, honest, or somewhere in between.

It is not legal advice and it will not name a specific trader as a scammer. What it will do is point out the warning signs in what you describe, and suggest sensible next steps so you are not left guessing.

Who should use it

It is aimed at people dealing with builders, roofers, drive cleaners, tree surgeons, gardeners, damp specialists, locksmiths and other tradespeople, whether they knocked on your door, turned up in the street, or were found online. If someone is pushing you to pay cash upfront, invent urgent problems with your roof or drains, refuse to give a written quote, or pressure you into deciding on the spot, this is the right place to check.

It is also useful if you are worried about an older relative or neighbour who has had a visit from a trader and you want a second opinion before money changes hands. You can describe what they told you happened and get a read on it.

How it works

You type a short description of what the trader said or did, answer a couple of follow-up questions if asked, and the tool gives you a summary in plain English. You will see which parts of the behaviour look like known scam patterns, which parts are normal, and what to do next, for example getting a second quote, reporting to Trading Standards, or contacting your bank. Nothing you enter is saved or shared, and you do not need to give your name, address, or the trader's details to use it.