Don't be conned by rogue traders

A Gunnersbury Avenue resident is warning everyone to be vigilant after she says a team of rogue tradesmen have been conning locals in the area.

Joanna Biddolph says the group of Irish and Polish men have been reported working through Acton, Chiswick and Pitshanger knocking on doors offering to roof work.

In one case a small job revealed "problems" requiring more work and more money; the original price increased from £150 to £1,800.

Another neighbour commissioned them, and a £1,000 estimate increased to £4,000; the roofers stripped his roof of tiles, replaced all the apparently perfectly sound battens with badly spaced new battens several of which didn’t extend to the width of the roof - and disappeared leaving smashed tiles and removed battens in the front garden. A few days later, the roof leaked.
Both neighbours who tried to contact the roofers found they had given mobile numbers that didn’t work and a company name that didn’t exist.  

The incidents have been reported to the police

Police advice:

• If you think you are being scammed and the scammers are with you or nearby, ring 999 so the police can come round while the scammers are there
• If you think you have been approached by scammers but they have left, contact ActionFraud on 0300 123 2040 or www.actionfraud.police.uk
• Never buy on the doorstep; genuine traders will be happy for you to check their credentials before commissioning work or handing over money
• Do not be embarrassed to report a scam. Because the scammers are cunning and clever there is no shame in being deceived. By reporting you will make it more difficult for them to deceive others. 

September 28th 2016