A local "highly recommended" trader may have ripped me off.

born_again

AdamPD said:

Thank you all, again.
Amended letter will be sent today
I called Barclays yesterday, I wasn't sure what to expect given that it was a bank transfer, but they were helpful
They've opened a scam complaint, I had to detail every step and precaution I took, it was like being interrogated, but they have to be thorough
They will open a case with his bank and try and get the money back
I should get an update on that within 15 days, so fingers crossed.

At least that will be a good guide to if it's worth going to  court. Odds on no funds in account. But good luck, if you do get it back, then they will lose their bank account.

AdamPD

Yea, the operator who I spoke to originally did say there's no guarantee, as it sounds like it would be up to the other bank on whether to return the funds.
It'd be nice if they did, it would save a whole lot of stress of going through the SCC.

AdamPD

Letter has been sent, I have to send it via an online letter-post service as I'm not able to travel to the post office, but it was sent tracked 48 hour, so I have the tracking number and details
I also sent him the same letter to his business email address and via Facebook messenger
Luckily FB messenger records when someone opens a PM To read it, so he has read it and I have that saved as proof.
I also discovered he put his only business van up for sale on Facebook on November 20th, 2023 (17 days after I'd paid him), showing as Sold.
The ad read:
"Here I have my ford connect. Only brought 2 months ago as I started my business up. Since then had to stop and go back to full time employment."
It's pretty obvious he had no intention to do the job at this point I think. Makes me angry.

AdamPD

Phew, what a relief, I really thought I'd never see that money again.

Lesson has been learnt.

Is it generally considered ok to post a carefully worded review/warning on places like his business page and google reviews?

ArbitraryRandom

Well done on getting a refund - when you posted about his van I was sure he didn't have any cash for you to go after, but obviously he didn't want a CCJ! 

 Out of interest - did you call it that or did he  

AdamPD

Oh the scam refund bit? No that's what Barclays called it.
It shows up like that in the app when I view the transaction.

Aylesbury_Duck

Excellent!  Well done.

With regard to the review, definitely post something to help others, but make sure you keep it factual and brief.  Personally I don't read great long rambles from people but I will heed a short, well-written and obviously factual review.

AdamPD

Thank you all, your help and advice has been amazing.
Spoken with the company who sells the doors and they should be able to supply and fit for a little under £600, so that's good
Should've gone that route to begin with, although I didn't know they offered a fitting service until now.

ArbitraryRandom

AdamPD said:

Oh the scam refund bit? No that's what Barclays called it.
It shows up like that in the app when I view the transaction.

Oh, so he didn't give you it back - the bank came through and took it from his account. Makes sense. 

I hope/expect he won't be in touch and can't see he's got any realistic options to appeal given what you've said, but if anything happens please do update. 

AdamPD

I posted a review on his Facebook business page and it was a review not a "He's a scammer!"
I kept it civil and factual as per your recommendation Arbitrary
Within about 30 minutes he sent me a PM saying he has my details on file and has requested money from the supplier (No idea what that even means.
He then deleted his website and facebook business page.
Quite a few people have now come forward on my post in the private town group with similar stories.