I’ve just been scammed

[MaybeImbad]

I saw some guys with ladders in next door’s yard, then bloke knocked on offering to clear my guttering too. I agreed and - I am so stupid - paid when he knocked back on only 15 mins later.

I cannot believe how stupid I’ve been - I’m normally super conscious of this sort of thing - but I was mid phone calls, in a rush, have been having other work done, and it just sounded straight forward - he gave me a business card blah blah. Anyway, as soon as they’d left I knew it was wrong but too late.

I’m utterly embarrassed and furious with myself but am also now worried.

AIBU to think they were scoping out my house/stupid people and now I’m going to be a target? I don’t really know what to do.

I’m confident the business card is fake - have looked up all the details and can’t find anything online, tho haven’t tried the mobile number.

Please don’t just reply to tell me how foolish I’ve been - I absolutely know that.

Did they do the work or not?

Have they cleared your gutters?

I don’t really understand your post? How have you been scammed?

Did they clean the gutters?

They don't need to knock on your door to scope out your house, the only question is whether they did the work.

Have you spoken to your neighbour?

I’d try the mobile number. If it works and it’s him act casual. Then pass it on to the police. Do you have a reg number? Check own/neighbours doorbells and check with them if they have had similar

This assuming he hasn’t done the work?

How have you been scammed?

So you paid and they didn't do the work? You haven't made it clear but I assume you mean this. How much was it? Is your concern that they aren't just scamming right now but might like rob you or something in future?

Did they not do the gutters at all? Have you checked/how do you know?

Oh sorry - no, to be clear, they’ve done absolutely nothing as far as I can see. And I can see weeds growing in one of my top gutters. (I didn’t check the state before, I didn’t after before paying - yes, I know I’m an idiot.)

every year the travellers turn up here and knock round to clear gutter for £20. I always take them up on it & haven’t been robbed. I think it’s a reach.

Look on your community Facebook page if there is any mention of him

Yes, this is my concern.

My dm got scammed like this.
I've bought her a ring door bell now so she doesn't have to answer the door, she's 88 and gets flustered.
They're absolute bastards these men.

If they do it then you haven’t been robbed. My gutters haven’t been cleaned (which I should have said in my OP) so that’s how I know I’ve been scammed.

How much did they charge

Thank you. I’m so upset and shaken by this. He had so much chat and I did get flustered, I know I was daft but it’s really upsetting.

I’ve done this and can’t see anything.

£70

How much did you pay?

I'd say pass the card round neighbours warning they are scammers. They could be potential burglars or thieves.
Take it as a lesson learned. You could contact the police and they may say it's a civil matter, but they were acting suspiciously and technically committing fraud. You could also log it with action fraud. I don't think individuals are able to directly contact trading standards anymore.

Thank you, I think this is a sensible idea, tho tbh I don’t think I can call them today, I don’t have the balls/energy even though I know I’m in the right - but I will try tomorrow.

I didn’t get a reg number. Not sure of any cameras on our street either. I’m such a dickhead.

Then YOU should do the mentioning. Someone has to. Hopefully this may put them off and protect others.

I had something similar with a window cleaner some years ago. He even came back a couple of weeks later demanding payment for cleaning windows when we were away - we hadn't asked him to, they clearly hadn't been cleaned, and it was worrying that he knew we were in holiday!

We told him to get lost but it was scary and unpleasant.

I'm sorry OP! That's really crappy of them

Thank you, that’s also sensible advice. I’m reluctant to post on the local facebook groups as I don’t normally post there and don’t like sharing my business.

Action fraud is a good idea.

I am taking it as a very costly lesson learned. Honestly, I thought I was more savvy than this and if anyone told me it had happened I’d think they were daft. But it happened v quickly and they’re good at what they do. More fool me.

It's really scummy behaviour. I'd maybe put it on a local WhatsApp or Facebook to alert others. Poss worth logging with your local community police but I can't imagine they will do much.

But honestly I don't think they are scoping you out. How do you think specifically that would work? I think the scam is the scam they've done and you gave them the money for not anything else. I think it's a bit of a cultural panic type thing re this idea of scoping out houses. For what?