Stay Safe from Scammers

Warning! Doorstep Scammers at work…

Our scammer arrived on our doorstep on a busy morning just before Christmas and told us he was working for 'Weather Shield' roofers. A big burly bloke in black baggy shorts, he was wearing a sweatshirt with the phone number and name of this company on it. There outside in the street was a pickup truck with ladders and other workmen inside. He told us he was repairing our next-door neighbour's roof and we had a loose ridge tile which he offered to fix. When I looked uncertain, he immediately offered to go up his ladder to photograph it and show me. I agreed and went inside – it being a cold, rainy day.

This turned out to be a terrible mistake.

Five minutes later he knocked on the door and told us the damage to our roof was actually far worse. To back up this assertion he showed us mobile phone video of a hole in the roof and several dislodged and broken tiles. The hole was at the foot of the roof, right by the guttering, and guaranteed to let in a great deal of water when it rained again. 

Following protracted and increasingly suspicious negotiations over a price (initially £4,500! Cash only!) we realised he was not to be trusted and he left.

Away from his high-pressure sales pitch, and our initial panic in having a hole in the roof on a very rainy day, we realised he had gone up the ladder and done this damage himself. A quick phone call to the neighbours revealed there had been no work done on their roof. 

Afterwards we realised there were several things we had taken on trust which we should simply not have done.

We didn’t immediately check his story with the neighbours. But then, with the man standing right in front of us, that would have seemed rude.

We didn’t immediately realise that the hole in the roof was exactly where his ladder would have been placed. And as the hole and the smashed tiles were so obvious, we should have wondered why he wouldn’t have noticed this, rather than the loose ridge tile when he was supposedly repairing our neighbour’s roof.

It all happened so fast we didn’t have time to take his lorry numberplate and were unable to establish any clues as to who he actually was. I did immediately report what had happened to the police ‘Action Fraud’ website in the hope that they might recognise the modus operandi at least. But not having any other way of identifying our scammer I realised this might be of little use to them. Three weeks later they have still not got back to me. I don’t blame them, either. I’m sure they’re overwhelmed and recognise a wild goose chase when they see one.

Fortunately, this story has a happy, albeit expensive, ending. We immediately consulted the Age UK tradesmen’s register 

https://www.ageuk.org.uk/wolverhampton/our-services/word-of-mouth-traders-list-a64d0a27-3209-ee11-a81c-6045bd94e88e/

and rang around the roofers there, trying to find one who could come out as soon as possible. Heavy rain was forecast that afternoon so we were extremely grateful when one of these contacts offered to come as soon as he could. He arrived within the hour, made an emergency repair and told us he would be back the next day with proper antique tiles to replace the ones the scammer had smashed. He estimated the bill would be £400 and it was. He also told us he was confident the damage had just been done and this was a deliberate act of malicious damage. His name was Jeff Edwards, and he’s there on the ‘Word of Mouth’ list. I would have no hesitation recommending him to anybody who needs work doing on their roof.

Do you have your own story about Scammers and what they tried to do? Wolverhampton Age UK are inviting readers of this newsletter to contact them on 01902 572060. These accounts will help with advice they can then offer on avoiding scams, and may be used anonymously in a follow up article to this one.

Danger signs

• Out of the blue doorstep callers. They will invariably claim to be ‘in the area’ and make you feel like you must make an immediate decision on the work they are offering to do. Do not engage with them or invite them in.
• They will demand upfront and cash only payment, without any itemised quotes or other paperwork.
• They will offer no proof of verifiable identity, either of themselves or a company.

How to Protect Yourself

• Simply refuse any offer of work by a cold caller – even if they make you feel this is urgent or a generous offer you should not pass by. 
• If you do need work done, obtain two or three detailed, written quotes.
• Ask for paperwork: Get a written contract and detailed estimates before agreeing to anything.
• If you can, avoid cash payments; use credit cards or cheques, and never pay in full before any work has been done.
• Don’t be pressed into an immediate decision. An honest trader will allow you to research them and won't pressure you.
• If you want to be extra cautious, you can check for business registration (like Companies House), licenses, and trade association memberships.

Do you have your own story about Scammers and what they tried to do? Wolverhampton Age UK are inviting readers of this newsletter to contact them on mail@ageukwolverhampton.co.uk. These accounts will help with advice they can then offer on avoiding scams, and may be used anonymously in a follow up article to this one.