Is this safe

paul2louise

I had some work done on my roof 2 years ago to repair holes made by birds nesting. I got a tradesman from Rated People to come and fix it. The birds came and nested again only a couple of months later. So i tried to contact the trademan to see if he would complete the job he hadnt done properly. He wanted more money so i decided i had been conned. I did create a complaint with rated people but it came to nothing.

Then last night i get an email from someone asking if i had had work done on my roof and can i have your phone number. I was a bit hesitant at first and after a few emails decided to give him an old mobile number.

He says that the tradesman used to work for him and he wantsbto put right the work that wasnt done properly. I said it had been done by someone else. He wanted to offer me a goodwill gesture of £50 and wanted my bank account number and sort code.
I feel a bit nervous about doing this.


Can i have a bit of advice of what to do about this. He seemed genuine over the phone but i a, sure they all do

shaun_from_Africa

It certainly sounds like a scam to me.
As they already have your e-mail address, why not suggest to them that they simply send you the promised £50 via paypal?
If you haven't already got an account, it's easy to set one up using your e-mail address.

ljonski

get him to send you a check or meet him in apublc place and take cash!

paul2louise

shaun_from_Africa wrote: »

It certainly sounds like a scam to me.
As they already have your e-mail address, why not suggest to them that they simply send you the promised £50 via paypal?
If you haven't already got an account, it's easy to set one up using your e-mail address.

Yes i have paypal, good thinking.

Ed-P

Definitely agree with the PayPal idea, that or cash in hand, you don't want to be giving that much information out, ESPECIALLY if he's already given himself a reputation for not completing work! Good luck!

George_Michael

This was my first thought

(not everyone will understand the connection.)

paul2louise

I sent him an email and say can you pay with paypal and he said ok. Wait and see what happens

peachyprice

I would have asked him to pop cash through the letterbox.

paddy's_mum

peachyprice wrote: »

I would have asked him to pop cash through the letterbox.

But that course of action, although it might get you the £50, also gives some guy an excuse to be mooching round your property.

"Oh, it's alright Officer - the lady of the house agreed for me to be here to [insert spurious reason]...... :eek:

teddysmum

This sounds like a scam from someone who surfs the tradesman crit. sites. He'll probably want to pop round for a 'look', suck his teeth, then say you need lots of work at a huge price. (Lots like this featured on Watchdog programmes).


Why would he want to put right the work of someone who once worked for him ? After all, there is no slur on his company.


I would ignore and certainly not give bank details. (Perhaps have a word with the local police, as he may be known to them?)

paul2louise

He did say he didnt want to have to come over to the property. I wasnt a bit hesistant to give him my address. If he was genuine he would know where i lived. So all he has is my email and mobile number.
I will repost when i have any updates.
I will wait and see what happens first before informing the police tho.