A Hertfordshire town has been named as one of the areas with the highest rates of suspected rogue builder scams in England and Wales, according to new analysis.

Stevenage ranked eighth nationally after analysis of Citizens Advice complaint data found that more than 15 per cent of home maintenance and improvement complaints in the area were flagged as potential scams.

Home improvement specialist Leader Online analysed complaints made between January 2022 and January 2026.

In Stevenage, 37 of the 240 home maintenance and improvement complaints recorded during the period were identified as potential scams – a rate of 15.42 per cent.

The findings could also serve as a warning to homeowners in neighbouring Hitchin to take precautions when employing builders and other tradespeople.

Stevenage was one of four East of England areas to feature in the national top 10, alongside Brentwood, Ipswich and Babergh.

The East of England also recorded the highest suspected scam rate of any region in England and Wales, at 12 per cent.

The Forest of Dean topped the national rankings, with 53 potential scam cases among 295 home maintenance and improvement complaints – a rate of 17.97 per cent.

Test Valley was second at 17.63 per cent, followed by Brentwood at 16.95 per cent.

David Turner, Head of Product at Leader Online, stressed that complaints being flagged as potential scams did not necessarily mean fraud had been proven.

He said: "These figures do not mean every complaint flagged as a potential scam was confirmed as fraud, but they do show why it is important to check the details before a project starts.

"A good tradesperson should be clear about what is included in the quote, which materials will be used, how long the work should take, and when payments are due.

"If those details feel vague, rushed, or keep changing, it's sensible to pause before handing over money."

People hiring builders or other tradespeople are advised to get a detailed written quote before work begins, check references and credentials and make sure payment arrangements are agreed in advance.

Anyone who believes they may have fallen victim to a rogue trader should report the incident to Report Fraud or the Citizens Advice Consumer Service.

Information can then be passed to Trading Standards, which has responsibility for investigating unfair or unsafe trading practices.

Victims are also advised to contact their bank or payment provider as soon as possible so that it can investigate the transaction and take steps to protect their account.