Not able to contact plumber - he has £3000

[Hello113]

Plumber was meant to start my bathroom this week but I can't reach him. I've been trying for 2.5 weeks. I've WhatsApp, text, email and call - nothing. Phone goes straight to voicemail. As of yesterday my WhatsApp messages are on one tick. He has £3000 of mine which I paid for materials. What to do now???

@Mrsgreen100 it's pretty antagonistic to turn up with a "big male" not just any male or your dad and would likely add fuel to the fire because the plumber already sounds like a stand up fella. It's also ridiculous to door knock him at all.
It's basically putting her and her 'big male" in danger so therefore silly "advice"

If you know his name and address and have evidence that you paid him, you can take him to the small claims court. If he's legitimate then a letter threatening court action might be enough. If not they will order him to pay your money back, so if he has any money you should get it back eventually.

@PromoJoJo but are you taking a "big male"' with you?
Why risk getting assaulted ?

I've hired 25 different workmen in the past couple of years and literally none of them buys materials without a deposit. 25% is very reasonable.

Definitely notify your bank - they will in turn flag this to his bank who will freeze his account whilst attempting to get your money back via an APP claim.

£3000 before he even took a spanner out his bag, are you mad? You'll never see him again.

Haven't said that, just handed over £250 for relatively simple toilet fix.

If your children can't be Airline pilots, Lawyers, Train drivers, plumbers are actually very good choice.

@Bernardo1 or a locksmith (esp 24hr kind) 💰💰💰

Look for the name on Companies House

Get someone to act as a customer and approach him, get it all on camera with sound

Plumbers etc usually/often sole traders ( I believe) so companies house wouldn't be useful, more likely to get him on nextdoor app gumtree Facebook & similar platforms

How did you pay him? Even if it was by bank transfer, you are protected now, so please contact your bank right away. If you paid him in cash, you will have to take him to the Small Claims Court. You can do this online, but obviously you will need proof that you did indeed pay him, so I hope you have a receipt. Good luck!

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2024/10/bank-transfer-scam-refund-rules/https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2024/10/bank-transfer-scam-refund-rules/Money saving expert Money saving expert Money saving expert

This happened to me with the same amount of money. Plumber made all kind of excuses about being beaten up, being on holiday and being in hospital as to why he couldn't start. Three months later I went to my bank (paid via debit card) and they investigated and refunded me. I never pay a deposit now although happy to pay for materials being delivered directly to me.

I would go to his house as he is not answering calls or messages. If no luck, I would contact your bank and trading standards.

Good luck op. Hopefully the bank will help

@CanelliniBeans - your story sounds the same as mine! I was given so many excuses…. I did call my bank and they wouldn’t investigate as i’d transferred the money so a year later i’m still waiting 🙄
went through small claims and it takes forever despite him admitting he owed us the money, he agreed to pay it back in installments and didn’t even make the first payment!

Pay them on your credit card then you have back up & always take photos of the job along the way, then you have proof of before & after- if they do a shit job. I bloody hate work men, stressful time 🙄

saying that, I nearly got ripped off by a roofer advertising on check a trader! Long story short, did end up getting the money back as my husband had his police uniform on when the guy came back to quote for another job- pointed out what shit job he had done the week before (plumber put me wise has noticed the roof had poor repairs, whilst fitting a cowel on the chimney).

I don't know how people can live with themselves. Sorry you haven't been reimbursed.
We got caught out about 10 years before the bathroom by a rogue trader who we found on Rated People . Rated People said they couldn't help us as we'd bank transferred £6k. We got half of it back from the builder but never saw the rest of it.
I only use debit card or credit card now so the bank has to help.

Get in contact with ur bank and let them know you've been scammed, they will try to recover the funds.

Google his address if it's registered, I would even visit the address but take someone along with you.

How can you pay by debit card?

For those of you who say your bank will refund, have you actually done this in the past?

I've been had before by a builder and got nothing back from the bank because the payment wasn't classed as fraud by them.

O know why should the bank lose out?

I'm sorry it's awful.
I mean I've asked recently for bathroom fitter recommendations.

Why did your friend recommend him? Where did she find him?

@roses2 - Exactly! My bank refused to look into it as I paid by transfer, the builder even had the same branch as me and they still wouldn’t do anything!