Release date: 11/12/2009
By: Charlie Masson Smith
Telephone
020 8871 6173
or email cmassons@wandsworth.gov.uk
Rogue builders foiled in £16k OAP scam
The council's crime prevention team is warning residents, especially the elderly, to be on their guard against rogue builders and doorstep con artists after a pensioner in Roehampton was almost swindled out of £16,000 earlier this week.
The woman was visited by two men who claimed to be builders and said that her roof needed urgent repairs. They said the job would cost £16,000.
It was the second time that the woman had been targeted in two years. In 2007 a similar scam ended up costing her £14,000.
Fortunately this time the fraudsters luck ran out, thanks to a long-standing council initiative designed to prevent burglary and con-trick victims being hit a second time.
When the woman was swindled two years ago, she was visited by council officers who advised her and her relatives on ways of avoiding a repeat offence. One of the solutions suggested to the family was to give one of her nephews power of attorney over her finances so that she would not be able to write cheques or pledge large amounts of money without consulting them.
So when the woman rang her nephew last Thursday to tell him she needed a cheque for £16,000, he realised something was amiss and called the council's community safety team for advice.
Staff at the town hall immediately rang Wandsworth police and arranged for "a welcoming committee" of officers to wait at the woman's house for when the builders returned for their money.
Community safety spokesman Cllr James Cousins said: "Thanks to the nephew's quick thinking and the immediate responses from both the staff at the town hall and local police, these two con artists have been stopped from swindling an elderly woman out of a large portion of her life's savings.
"After the lady lost so much money to thieves a couple of years ago, her family was given useful advice by the council's crime prevention team to try and prevent it happening again. I am delighted that they took that advice on board and used it not only to stop this money being stolen, but also had the presence of mind to contact us so that the fraudsters could be caught.
"This case highlights the importance of never agreeing to have any work carried out by workmen who tout for business and call at front doors unannounced.
"If this happens to you then there is a strong chance you are about to be ripped off. The work is usually totally unnecessary and the householders face being overcharged and sometimes bullied and intimidated if they refuse to pay.
"If any building work is required it is always best to get at least two written quotations beforehand from established and reputable businesses, together with a detailed specification of the works needed. People should also never pay in full until the work is actually completed."
Householders are also being advised to refuse to give cold calling builders permission to get up on their roofs. There is evidence to suggest that once on the roof, the workmen cause damage to try and persuade people that repair work is necessary.
Cllr Cousins added: "Our advice is to not let anyone into your house who calls unexpectedly. If you do speak to them, do it through the door or from an upstairs window – and never agree to employ them to carry out any work. We would also urge neighbours to be alert to builders, in particular roofers, who turn up to carry out such work and to report any suspicions they have to the council or the police.
"We are working closely with the police to track down these con-artists, but we do need residents to keep an eye out for their neighbours – especially if they are elderly or vulnerable."
The council is also appealing to bank and building society staff to be on the lookout for elderly customers withdrawing large amount of cash. They are being urged to try and glean what the money is being used for and if they have any concerns that it may be suspicious, to contact the police or town hall.
People wanting to report suspicious traders to the council should call (020) 8871 6603 and if possible provide details of any vans or cars that are being used, including the registration number, plus a description of the builder/workman.
Anyone wanting advice about home security or crime prevention can use the same number to speak to an officer in the town hall's community safety division.
ENDS
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