I was scammed out of £3400 today and I feel suicidal

[MoSalahsBeard]

Scammy plumber firm ripped me off today to the tune of £3400. They ripped everything out of the bathroom to ‘investigate’ the problem for which they charged me £300 an hour emergency rate when I never said it was an emergency at any point. Was my word against theirs. Turns out they operate under many different company names and after doing digging into the other company names there are tonnes of awful reviews saying they rip you off by saying either they or you classed it as an emergency and charge a fortune. The man wouldn’t leave my house til I paid him, I’m on my own in the house as husband is away on business.

i spent all afternoon bawling my eyes out on the phone to Trading Standards, lawyers, and the company itself. I absolutely lost it. SENSITIVE CONTENT REDACTED BY MNHQ

Called the Samaritans crying saying I feel like killing myself. I’m trying to hold it together for my kid but I feel utterly broken. Ashamed, embarrassed, furious and feeling like I don’t deserve to eat for months until this is paid off. I don’t know how to cope with this. I’m utterly devastated.

To start with, your life is worth a hell of a lot more than £3400.

If you were to end your life, the scumbags would have won.

Let the lawyers and trading standards drag the scumbags to court and they will get ripped to shreds by the courts and media........it will be worth it in the end and you will be able to hold your head up high.

To be fair, I said actionfraud, not the police.

Individual cases often seem minor, but a pattern of behaviour might show things which from a single case weren't obvious. They can investigate and take it further if needed, and also direct the OP to some good support options.

If people don't report what are at the very least very dodgy practices then scam artists are never found out. They may not be fraudulent, but they also may be.

It's like the telephone scammers who claim that if you don't engage with them you may get arrested. It's designed to cause fear and convince people to part with money they shouldn't. That could be considered a criminal or fraudulent act and should be investigated.

The op says she agreed the rate, the plumbers did the work she asked fir and although in her OP she says the man refused to leave until she paid, she later changes her story and says herself the man did not do this or threaten her in any way.

You can dispute a transaction with the fraud team. Do it now before the funds clear. How are you today? Have you eaten?

So he didn't rip your bathroom apart? He replaced a shower pump?

Depends on the type of shower as to how much of the bathroom needs to be taken apart to access the pump. Power shower workings tend to be behind tiles rather than an electric shower which is a box on the wall

If you call a plumber they will always charge their emergency call out rate - because you have called them out, and because they can charge that! The only time you have a plumber and it's not on the emergency call out rate is when you have booked them in advance. Like "I'd like all these radiators changed", "sure, we can start Tuesday week", that kind of thing.

So, the rate was the right rate, especially as the work post investigation was done straight away, not then booked in for a week's time or anything.

The OP says it wasn't an emergency - in plumbing terms, it was, because she called a plumber out. It wasn't a "life or death" type emergency no.

OP later complains she was left without a shower for some time, which also points to her wanting it treated as an emergency.

Absolutely, but some folks have got all excited.

im trying to imagine her calling action fraud or the police over this, id pay good money to listen to that call.

Indeed. I'm sorry OP but I can't see what your grounds are for considering this fraud. You've been ripped off, I'd agree but that's not illegal. Shitty behaviour on the part of the plumber but not illegal.

There's no reason they can't add on any mark-up they want to for a part. It could have cost them £50 and they charged you £500 if you agree to pay it.

Things have got a bit twisted here. I never said he refused to leave til I paid him. I said I had to pay him there and then otherwise I was stuck with him in my living room.

and again I never said it was fraud either. I said I’d been ripped off.

and how can it be allowed that someone makes up the price of a part and makes the customer pay it?!

The first thing I ask before anyone does any work on my house is 'how much is this going to cost?'
You said you are a vulnerable person, do you have a learning disability, mental health illness, this would have been helpful to know in your first post.

No advice but I really hope you get it sorted.

The op, very clearly in her first post, stated she had called the Samaritans as she felt like killing herself, surely that must give a massive indication of the op's mental health

With regard to,your last sentence, I'm afraid that's how the world works.

Just the same as you buy a drink in Starbucks and they charge you 3.50. You then check online and you could have bought the coffee and milk in Tesco for half the price.

There are other costs involved in supplying a part. His time to fetch it. Mileage. His employment on costs eg NI, tax, pension, etc. The business's insurance. The cost of training him to fit it. The cost of the tools needed to fit it. The cost of managing him, his uniform, the finance team, the hr team, the marketing team. And so on.

I know it's a huge mark up. But I don't think it's a scam, simply the world of business.

OP, I hope you're feeling a bit calmer and that your bank can help you get some money back. And that you'll soon have a shower - it must be a nightmare to be without in this heat!

If nothing else, your awful experience and subsequent meltdown needs to be avoided in future.

I’d advise gathering a few reliable contacts in various trades that you can call upon. A trusted electrician, decorator and handyman are all useful to have in your phone book
When you have a good workman, you can often ask them to recommend other trades too.

Ask friends and family or neighbours for recommendations. Do some homework on the company and check out reviews.
Always ask for a quote in writing / e mail before commencing.
That’ll take some of the stress out of finding a tradesman in the future.

If you’re uncomfortable dealing with tradesmen in the home then perhaps a friend or family member could be present and advocate for you.

Good plumbers are like hens teeth these days and because demand outstrips supply, they are charging accordingly.
Unfortunately, you’ve had experience with a chancer who walked all over you with his inflated charges.
You can source your own parts if a plumber agrees to give you the specifications of what you need to buy which can reduce the bill.

Its certainly worth trying to raise a dispute with the bank but important to be realistic about your expectations and what (if anything ) you can recoup. That way you’re protecting your own mental health.

Above all, be assured that lots of people are stung by “emergency” trades and their eye watering rates so this is no reflection on you as a person and there is no need to beat yourself up over it x

Contact the police.

I am distraught again tonight. Don’t know how to live with the guilt. We are going to have to use the savings to cover this cost. The savings are my husband’s inheritance from his dad. I don’t know how to live with myself

MoSalahsBeard · Yesterday 18:56
By card

Op! Fear not, this is great news. Call the bank and tell them that it was under duress, you were alone and the terms were not explained”

Absolutely this then report the plumber to your local Trading Standards and try to get an appointment with citizens advice.

Don’t beat yourself up.. This is resolvable. People far more clever than you or I are scammed every day.

Though it’s a ridiculous thing to have to say, I’m afraid I’ve found it true over the years. In future, don’t have any workmen in unless your husband is there. Dodgy people are less likely to try to do this to a man.

Ach op it is just money, you can start to build it back up again. Just put it behind you, have something nice to eat a cup of tea and don’t stew on it.

I got scammed, granted just for 500 quid so less than you... I used card.. I rang my bank and reported it. They said I had to wait till the money left my account which made me very anxious..
But in the end they actually accepted it was a fraudulent company and the bank reimbursed me!!

MoSalahsBeard · Today 21:06
I am distraught again tonight. Don’t know how to live with the guilt. We are going to have to use the savings to cover this cost. The savings are my husband’s inheritance from his dad. I don’t know how to live with myself

You really need to stop this. You are more important to your husband than money. It’s replaceable. You’re not.

Lots of people have given you very good advice. You need to act on it.

Easier said than done I know, but try to keep perspective and not catostrophise.

The work is completed now and all is in working order. You paid highly but this is common situation with tradesmen that many people fall victim to. It’s not a personal failure on your part.

Youre both working and can perhaps plan to pay a small amount each month to build up your savings again.

If you’re struggling to regulate your emotions then try to compartmentalise this now. Distract yourself and have an evening of self care. Punishing yourself is absolutely not what you deserve. You need a hug !

Seek RL support too. You’ve nothing to feel ashamed about. Your trust and good nature was taken advantage of that’s all.

How are you OP? x

OP breathe. If credit card you're covered. If debit card call the bank and report it as a scam.

Same thing happened to me but was only £180, bank refunded same day.

Please call
The bank.

Its not a scam though is it. Questionable hourly rate but all that would need to have been discussed up front.