Kent Police has issued an e-fit of a man they would like to speak to after a pensioner paid £5,000 in cash for clearance work that was never carried out.
The rogue trader called on the woman, who is in her 60s, several times between 1 November 2011 and 12 January 2012, claiming he would clear garden rubbish from the railway land at the bottom of her garden.
But the work was never done and police are treating the matter as fraud by false representation.
The pensioner, who lives in Whitstable and wishes to remain anonymous, said:
I said to the man, I am a pensioner and I can’t afford anymore but he kept coming back for more. It made me feel very low.”
Sergeant Jason Heather said the man had preyed on a vulnerable victim: “He visited her repeatedly, asking for more money each time, and made excuses every time as to why the work hadn’t been done.
“We have carried out house to house enquiries in the area and are liaising with Trading Standards, but are also appealing to anyone who recognises the e-fit or the description to contact us immediately.”
The man, who called himself John, is described as having short, black hair, a thin black moustache and a gold tooth. On one occasion he was wearing a three-quarter length duffel coat and carried a red bag.
If you recognise the e-fit or have information about the incident call Kent Police on 101 or Kent Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555111 quoting crime number ZY/1665/12.
Sergeant Heather is also warning Whitstable residents to be on their guard against rogue traders who turn up on their doorsteps touting for business.
To try and minimise your risk of employing a rogue trader:
- Do not deal with doorstep callers offering work on your home or garden.
- Use reputable traders who are members of Buy with Confidence, Trust a Trader or the Gas Safe Register
- Ask for quotes in writing and check that the tradesperson is from the company they say they are from
- Ring more than three traders to get a feel for an average price for the job
- Remember that traders must give you written notice of your right to seven days cancellation when agreeing to do work at your home, including work gained from a cold call
- Contact Consumer Direct on 0845 040506 for consumer advice
For details of approved traders visit www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk. You can also call Consumer Direct on 08454 040 506 for details of Buy with Confidence, or if you have experienced any problems with rogue traders.
