Homes and businesses are under attack from a devious new scam that lets criminals turn measures intended to combat them to their advantage.
Residents in Perth and Kinross and Central Scotland have been warned to be on their guard after trading standards teams uncovered the new trick.
Flyers are circulated in the name of respectable businesses but include the contact details of rogue traders.
Perth and Kinross, Stirling and Clackmannanshire councils all operate schemes for tradesmen so that the public know they are hiring someone accountable and reliable.
Their reputations are now, however, being illegally exploited and potential damaged by the actions of scammers, and trading standards officers in each area are warning residents and businesses to be alert.
Stirling Council environment convener, Danny Gibson, said: “This is all part of a trend for unscrupulous traders playing on the name of reputable companies.
“Rogue traders are known to be travelling to different local authority areas and distributing leaflets appearing to be from well-known companies.
“We have seen examples relating to a number of businesses, such as those in the home improvement sector.”
While homeowners are at risk of losing money and paying for substandard workmanship, businesses are also under threat.
The Federation of Small Businesses Forth Valley chairman, Graham Struthers, praised trading standards for “standing up for genuine local businesses and tackling these fraudsters”.
He added, however, that: “Rogue traders pose a real threat to small firms and should not be ignored. Many businesses work hard for years to establish their reputations as honest, fair, reliable firms.
“These fraudsters undermine good local businesses, while damaging the local economy.”
Trading standards advises consumers not to contract with cold callers, but to ask your friends, relatives or neighbours for personal recommendations, wherever possible, and to check with local councils.
Perth and Kinross Council operates a Better Business Partnership scheme, where a list of businesses that have agreed to trade fairly and within the spirit of the law can be found.