"Tarmac Duo in £300k con"

James Ball and Shaun Ball inflated prices and threatened people for cash. The pair admitted 16 counts of fraud, Ball got 3 years and his brother will serve 20 months. An investigation into the activities of the pair was initiated by Scambusters after numerous reports from disgruntled customers. The deceptions then investigated by the police included agreeing to lay tarmac but putting down tar and chippings; agreeing a price per foot but charging per square foot; failing to provide a notice of cooling off periods when cold calling; falsely telling customers they had worked on the roads on behalf of the council. 

If you are unlucky enough to have tradesmen call at your door unannounced remember:

• Check the seller's identity and say NO thanks
• Take control by asking the questions
• Don't sign anything
• If in any doubt, ask the person to leave or call Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06. (Consumer Direct works in partnership with local Trading Standards Authorities)

Whilst its not that common for scams like this to happen - they do appear from time to time causing all sorts of financial and emotional issues for customers. Its important to protect more vulnerable groups such as the elderly as they don't find it that easy to say no.

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Monday, 16 November 2009 15:03