Aberdeenshire Trading Standards

IPO Counter-Infringement

Fakes can appear on second-hand platforms, which is why we’re working with industry to improve protections and help shoppers spot the signs early.

Read more about our partnership with Vinted to develop new guidance: https://ipo.blog.gov.uk/2026/05/28/working-together-to-tackle-fakes-how-vinted-and-government-are-strengthening-trust-online/

Doorstep Callers Warning
We’ve received a number of reports of individuals going door-to-door offering roofing and property services across Aberdeenshire, including some claiming to represent “Kingdom Coatings”.
We are particularly concerned by reports of callers ignoring “No Cold Calling” stickers — a reputable company would not do this. If you have a “No Cold Calling” sticker and still receive visits, please let us know — photos or videos help.
Be cautious: businesses should not need to cold call to generate work. Watch out for common pressure tactics such as claims they are “working nearby” or have “leftover materials” available at a discount.
Our advice: never agree to work or make payments to unsolicited doorstep callers.
If you’re concerned or feel suspicious, report it to Aberdeenshire Council Trading Standards immediately:
* 01467 539539
* [email protected]
For all other independent consumer advice, contact Consumer Advice Scotland on 0808 164 6000.

Did you know that New Arc Wildlife Rescue is a licensed Animal Welfare Establishment?

Animal Welfare Establishment Licensing is something that often happens quietly in the background, but it plays an incredibly important role in ensuring high standards of care for animals in captivity, including wildlife rescue centres such as New Arc Wildlife Rescue.

Scotland is currently the only devolved nation in the UK where animal welfare establishment licensing specifically includes wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centres. We believe this is an important and positive step for wildlife welfare and for maintaining professional standards within the sector.

For wildlife rehabilitation centres, licensing provides external oversight, accountability and reassurance that facilities, husbandry, veterinary care, record keeping, staffing and welfare standards are being maintained to a high level. It helps ensure that rescued wildlife receive appropriate care throughout their rehabilitation journey, from admission through to release.

While inspections and compliance requirements can be demanding, we believe this is ultimately a very positive thing. Good regulation helps protect animal welfare, supports professionalism within the sector and provides confidence to the public, supporters and partner organisations that centres are operating responsibly and transparently.

Wildlife rescue work is often carried out under significant pressure, with rising caseloads and limited resources, so having constructive relationships with regulators who understand the realities of animal welfare work is incredibly valuable.

We would like to say a sincere thank you to all of the team at Aberdeenshire Trading Standards, who oversee licensing within our region. Their professionalism, support and genuine passion for animal welfare is greatly appreciated, and we are grateful for the collaborative approach they bring to helping maintain high welfare standards for wildlife in care.

Aberdeenshire Council

We have become aware of door-to-door sellers in the Ellon area, reports have indicated that these individuals are ignoring signage telling cold callers to leave. It is a criminal offence to ignore such signage, salesmen simply should not attempt to cold call homes who have displayed such signage.

Please contact us on [email protected] to report any such instances.

🚫 Protecting Our Communities 🚫

Cold callers and rogue traders are not welcome in Aberdeenshire.

Free “No Cold Calling” stickers for your door are available to help deter unwanted callers and keep residents safe.

Trading Standards are pleased to be working with local businesses to set up collection points for these stickers. Details of more collection points throughout Aberdeenshire will be released in due course.

You can now collect your stickers from the following local hubs:

📍 The Banking Hub & Post Office – Turriff
📍 Banking Hub – Banff
📍 Post Office – Macduff

These stickers send a clear message and can help prevent doorstep crime. Let’s work together to protect our communities and make Aberdeenshire a safer place for everyone.

If in doubt, keep them out.

CTSI welcomes the creation of a High Street Organised Crime Unit to help focus efforts to tackle "dodgy shops", but urges the Home Office to rapidly review enforcement powers, resources, and measures to keep Trading Standards officers safe, to help further clamp down on organised crime on the high street.

CTSI’s recent report - Hidden in Plain Sight: Tackling Crime on the UK’s High Streets – sets out the vast and complex criminal networks that use high street shops as a front for serious and organised crime. Such shops sell illegal products - such as to***co and vapes, or counterfeit goods – and may also commit wider offences, such as money laundering, child sexual exploitation, people smuggling, and modern slavery. The report set out a series of policy recommendations to help empower enforcement agencies to clamp down on “dodgy shops”, including strengthening Closure Order powers and providing more resourcing to the enforcement landscape.

Find out more about CTSI and ACG's report, here: https://www.tradingstandards.uk/news-policy-campaigns/campaigns/hidden-in-plain-sight-tackling-crime-on-the-uk-s-high-streets/

⚠️ Westhill Residents – Please Be Aware ⚠️

We have received reports of door-to-door cold callers operating in the Westhill area, representing a company called Kingdom Coatings.

🔴 Please exercise caution if approached:
• Do not feel pressured into agreeing to work on the spot
• Avoid making any upfront payments
• Always ask for identification and verify the company independently
• Take time to seek multiple quotes before committing

✅ Report suspicious callers to Trading Standards via Consumer Advice Scotland on 0808 164 6000.

Please consider sharing this message to help keep others in the community informed.

Let’s help keep our community informed and protected. Please share this post to raise awareness.

⚠️ Cold Calling Alert – Insch Area ⚠️

Residents in the Insch area are being advised to remain vigilant following reports of a company calling door-to-door under the name Golden Roofing Solutions Ltd.

Unsolicited doorstep traders can sometimes use high-pressure tactics or offer unnecessary work. Please remember:

• Do not feel pressured into agreeing to work on the spot
• Always ask for identification and verify credentials
• Avoid making upfront payments or signing contracts immediately
• Do not accept doorstep offers of work.
• Never hand over cash.

If you feel threatened, call Police Scotland on 999.

Report suspicious callers to Trading Standards via Consumer Advice Scotland on 0808 164 6000.

If you have concerns or feel uncomfortable, do not hesitate to decline and close the door.

Please consider sharing this message to help keep others in the community informed.