Norfolk driveway resurfacing scam

orinoco

I'm sorry if this is in the wrong place but I'm sitting here writing this at gone midnight as I am so ******* annoyed I need to get it off my chest before I go to sleep.

We visited our grandparents today. A little while ago my wife told me about a conversation they had earlier today. Apparently a while back someone turned up at the door saying they had some spare gravel from a job and would they like their driveway re-covered. My grandad asked how much, they said £40. He said OK. When they had done he went to pay them. They said, sorry you must have misheard, we said £440. As far as I can make out my grandad had to go and find the money in order for them to leave.

Now I know grandad shouldn't have said yes in the first place and it's the sort of thing you see on Rogue Traders or something like that but it just makes me sick that someone would do that. My grandparents have very little money and this will have just about cleaned them out in the short term.

So whoever you are who did this you are scum.

Does anyone have any advice? I want them to go to the police and at least tell everyone around the village so people are aware but grandad didn't even want us to know, we only found out cos nan told my wife. I think he feels he needs to keep his pride. He's even beginning to doubt that he heard right in the first place even though we keep telling him he wouldn't have just said yes if it was £440. I realise there is little chance of getting his money back but what is the best way of stopping this happening to someone else?

Anyway, if you are in the Pulham, Starston, Harleston area of Norfolk or have loved ones there watch out as these parasites obviously like to prey on the elderly.

Going to try to sleep now.

Ori

globalds

Have you got any more information about them ..Phone number ..mobile ..

orinoco

I have nothing, I'm going to talk more to my mum and grandparents about it more tomorrow, see if they remember any details.

globalds

You need to try and tempt them back ..and make sure you have a welcoming commitee waiting for them when they turn up .

avfc4life

This isnt advice but honestly what complete and utter b@stards!

RibAd

that definately sounds like the crowd that WERE on Rogue Traders.... maybe a different location, but certainly same set up.

If you do get further information on who they are, maybe take it to Rogue Traders?

If maybe you want to avoid a similar thing happening to neighbours or friends of your grandparents, just pass the info along and make them aware that there is someone around doing this.

deanos

Another scam to watch out for is when they say £40 they mean per sq meter.

richt71

Have you spoken to the local trading standards? They're really hot on stuff like this! In fact according to a program I watched recently some trading standards in conjunction with the council have made no cold calling areas particularly in eldery areas. They put up big street signs saying no cold calling and that anyone attempting to do so may be removed by the police and/or arrested for trespassing. Apparently where implimented a drop of up to 90% of incidents has happened.

Elmer_Dudd

Sadly this is a classic criminal itinerant/traveller scam.
Speak to the police and trading standards immediately to prevent your family becoming victimised further.
It is standard policy for these parasites to pass details of people they have ripped off and who they deem as vulnerable and an easy target onto other criminals from within their communities who then call posing as council/gas/electric/tax inspectors (because they paid cash in hand!)/police etc etc.:mad:
Get the authorities involved asap and spell it out in very clear terms to your family how they have left themselves open to these scams.
I don't want to frighten you but these types of leeches are ruthless and finding them after the event is near impossible.
Be careful out there,
Elmer:cool:

edthedead

Unfortunately this is a well known trick. Tell their local police and trading standards, certainly where i work these people do get targeted and prosceuted... and quite right too!

jess1974

I live in Norfolk near Diss, and have had people knock on my door twice, in the last 3 years asking if i want any leftover gravel for my driveway, i've always said no thanks, i had a feeling it was a scam....