Loft insulation scams – what you need to know

Over the last few months we’ve been hearing from some of our supporters who have received unsolicited calls from individuals claiming to work for a loft insulation company or an “energy hub”. These have claimed to represent Asthma + Lung UK, or one of our legacy charities, British Lung Foundation. Paul, our Head of Supporter Care tells us more.

Cold calls about insulation? It’s likely a scam

Over the last few months we’ve been hearing from some of our supporters who have received unsolicited calls from individuals claiming to work for  a loft insulation company or an “energy hub”  

These have claimed to represent Asthma + Lung UK, or one of our legacy charities, British Lung Foundation.  The companies the callers claim to work for don’t make cold calls and are also aware of this scam.

Asthma + Lung UK do not endorse any insulation products

Supporters have also been told that we’ve accredited or recommended them. Or that a particular type of loft insulation can cause lung conditions. They have then used this information to try and sell their own insulation products. 

We want to alert our supporters – and the general public – that neither Asthma + Lung UK or British Lung Foundation previously, do not endorse any loft insulation products. We can assure you that we’ve never suggested any insulation material is unsafe. The people making the phone calls are criminals trying to alarm people into buying their products and using our name to support their fraudulent claims.

Spray foam insulation

The criminals may use spray foam products which have been linked to the Grenfell Tower fire tragedy. Having these materials in your home could mean that your house becomes unmortgageable unless you pay to have them removed.  Further details on this type of fraud can be found on the Trading Standards website.

Putting a stop to loft insulation scams

Please be assured that we are attempting to stop these criminals but there are things you can do to help. If you are contacted by one of these companies, please report this to both Action Fraud and the Information Commissioner’s Office as well as your local Trading Standards Officer to help stop other people being defrauded.

Please do contact our Supporter Care Team if you’d like any advice or to let us know if you’ve been contacted by one of these companies.