A new report from Citizens Advice suggests that business is booming for rogue traders as they prey on desperate consumers seeking savings.

Desperate times, desperate consumers, explains how current economic conditions have paved the way for an unprecedented boom in scams that exploit people’s need to save money on bills, increase their income and find work and affordable housing.

Speaking at the Trading Standards Institute (TSI) conference in Bournemouth today, Citizens Advice chief executive Gillian Guy will say that advisers, enforcers, regulators and consumers need to join forces and work together more closely than ever before to beat rogue traders and fraudsters.

“Con merchants have never had it so good. The recession has provided an opening for money-making scams and sharp practices disguised as sources of help. Rogue traders are taking advantage of consumers desperate to find ways of saving money