Homeowners across the UK are being warned of a growing scam involving rogue cold callers posing as representatives of the Spray Foam Advice Centre, a trusted name in the home insulation industry. These fraudsters are exploiting the credibility of Adam Gough, a respected authority on home insulation, to gain access to properties and pressure residents into unnecessary and often damaging insulation work.

Adam Gough, founder of the Spray Foam Advice Centre and a nationally recognised expert in building science and energy efficiency, has dedicated his career to educating homeowners about safe, effective insulation practices. One of his key messages warns against the use of spray foam insulation in cold roof properties, a design common in many UK homes. In such properties, incorrectly applied spray foam can trap moisture, cause rot, and lead to costly structural issues—often rendering a home uninsurable or unsellable.

But now, cold calling operations are using Gough’s reputation against the very people he seeks to protect.

“These scammers call up claiming to be affiliated with the Spray Foam Advice Centre, or even claiming to be me,” Gough explained. “They use our good name to earn trust and arrange home visits. Once inside, they pitch spray foam and other ‘energy-saving solutions’ with hard-sell tactics, scaring homeowners into spending thousands on work that may be unnecessary—or worse, damaging.”

In many cases, vulnerable homeowners are misled into signing contracts on the spot, unaware that these installations may violate building codes, invalidate insurance, or lead to serious long-term issues in the structure of the home.

The Spray Foam Advice Centre is not involved in any cold call operations. Adam Gough and his team do not sell insulation products or services. Their mission is purely educational, offering impartial advice, inspections, and guidance to help homeowners make informed decisions.

WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR

If you receive a cold call claiming to represent the Spray Foam Advice Centre, consider it a red flag. Gough’s organisation never solicits business over the phone, and all advice or assessments are arranged directly through their official channels.

Key warning signs:

• Unsolicited calls offering free loft inspections
• Callers claiming to be from or sent by the Spray Foam Advice Centre
• High-pressure tactics to agree to a home visit or sign paperwork
• Promises of government grants or rebates that sound too good to be true

WHAT TO DO

If you are contacted by someone fraudulently using Adam Gough’s name or claiming to be from the Spray Foam Advice Centre:

1. Do not let them into your home
2. Do not provide any personal or financial details
3. Take down the caller’s number and any information you can
4. Report the incident immediately to us and the authorities

You can contact the Spray Foam Advice Centre directly on 03458 500 445 to verify any claims. We also urge you to save this number in your phone as Spray Foam Advice Centre to help avoid confusion in the future.

These incidents are also being reported to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), which is currently investigating misuse of personal data in relation to these calls. Victims are encouraged to lodge a formal complaint at www.ico.org.uk or call 0303 123 1113.

Adam Gough and his team continue to work tirelessly to raise awareness of this scam and to advocate for proper regulation of insulation installation standards across the UK.

For accurate, independent advice on spray foam and home insulation, visit SFACUK.ORG