Residents in Fife are being urged to stay alert following reports of renewable energy and property maintenance scams in the area.

The council's Trading Standards team said householders with solar panels are receiving telephone and doorstep cold calls offering to supply upgrades/accessories alongside extended warranty products. However, these calls make misleading claims such as an inverter requires replacing, a component is broken or faulty, or that the performance of the system will be increased.

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In addition, there have been reports of high pressure sales tactics and people being misled over deals to carry out property maintenance and or energy efficiency measures under Green Deal. Householders are told to pay large advance deposits and/or take out personal finance loans to cover the works.

Dawn Adamson, Trading Standards Service Manager, said residents should be aware that the Green Deal is not a personal loan.

"These type of practices are completely unacceptable and can cause long term financial and emotional harm to our local communities," he said.

Anyone who has concerns about being approached either on the doorstep, or by telephone cold callers, should contact the Citizens Advice consumer service on 03454 040506 or Police Scotland on 101.

(LM)