PCA calls for further industry awareness around spray foam removal scams
The PCA said it has been contacted by homeowners across the UK who have been approached by operators using fake credentials.
The Property Care Association (PCA) has warned homeowners and mortgage professionals to be alert to spray foam insulation removal scams after receiving reports of fraudsters falsely claiming to represent the trade body.
The PCA said it has been contacted by homeowners across the UK who have been approached by operators using fake credentials and the association’s branding to persuade them to commission expensive spray foam removal work that may not be necessary.
According to the trade body, some homeowners have been told they are on a “national database” of properties likely to lose value unless spray foam insulation is removed.
The PCA said fraudsters have also presented fake identification featuring its logo and, in some cases, impersonated genuine PCA members by producing fraudulent survey reports.
Hannah Clarke, head of membership at the PCA, said: “Spray foam scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated.
“We’ve had reports of homeowners being told they are on a ‘national database’ of properties that are likely to lose value if the insulation is not removed.
“In some cases, vulnerable customers, including pensioners, have been lulled into a false sense of security with so-called ‘surveyors’ presenting fake ID that includes the PCA logo, despite the fact that our members do not offer spray foam insulation removal services.
“We’ve even had reports from PCA members that fraudsters have impersonated them, going as far as producing fake reports in their name.”
The PCA estimates around 250,000 UK homes have spray foam insulation.
It said many homeowners are encountering difficulties when selling their properties, releasing equity or securing mortgage finance, while also becoming targets for cold callers encouraging unnecessary removal or legal firms pursuing mis-selling claims.
The trade body noted that while spray foam insulation can perform effectively if installed correctly, poor installation can trap moisture, potentially leading to damp, mould and timber decay.
It also highlighted that the presence of spray foam can make it more difficult for prospective buyers to obtain a mortgage.
To help address the issue, the PCA has developed a Sprayed Foam Inspection Protocol and established a register of independently audited surveyors trained to assess the condition of spray foam insulation.
It has also worked alongside the Residential Property Surveyors Association, Insulation Manufacturers Association, Andy Wilson Financial Services, Bangor University and RPC to publish a consumer guide designed to help homeowners obtain independent assessments before making decisions.
Clarke added: “The problems we are now seeing highlight a much wider issue.
“While there is guidance available for assessing spray foam insulation, there is currently no recognised trade body or independently audited sector representing companies that remove it.
“That leaves homeowners trying to make important decisions in an unregulated marketplace, where it can be difficult to distinguish between competent contractors and businesses making misleading claims.
“The industry needs greater transparency, higher standards and clearer routes for consumers to identify businesses they can trust.
“The PCA does not currently represent companies carrying out spray foam removal.
“Our role is to provide homeowners with access to competent, independently assessed surveyors who can establish the condition of spray foam before any decisions are made.
“In many cases, an independent assessment should be the first step, rather than accepting advice from a company with a commercial interest in removing the insulation.”
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