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Legal matters

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you have any legal concerns we suggest you consult a solicitor.

Original poster

We’ve been bloody scammed!

32 replies

Deedeedocket · 12/03/2021 21:50

Dh is a plumber, a company got in touch with him and interview him for a contract to carry out work on houses on our local postcode. The deal is you pay a sum up front and they send the work through rather than take a commission. Think property management.

I didn’t like the look of it so dh got a solicitor to look over the contract. Solicitor looks it over says it all seems fine. We pay the fee £2200.

It’s a scam, the company is registered with companies house but it seems this scam
Has been going on for a few years. They keep changing names. I’ve now been in touch with five other tradespeople who have suffers the same and that is just the tool of the iceberg.

First of all we feel fucking stupid, we are a young business and obviously can’t afford this.

I’ve reported to HMRC, trading standards who
passed me into action fraud, rogue traders on bbc and even the sun! But am at a loss as to what to do.

Dh even underwent ‘training’ then two months later after chasing for work, the website went off line, phone number went off line. Gone.

Any idea on what we can do?

OP posts:
CatherinedeBourgh · 12/03/2021 21:52

How did you pay?

TomHardyAndMe · 12/03/2021 21:53

@CatherinedeBourgh

How did you pay?
Won’t matter if B2B contract.
LunaHeather · 12/03/2021 21:57

I'm not a lawyer

But my first thought is that they will cover their arses by calling it a finders fee. Did the contract say anything like that, or say what happens in the event of not finding him work?

mellicauli · 12/03/2021 21:59

report directors as being unfit www.gov.uk/company-director-disqualification

Raise a complaint against the solicitor's practice: why didn't they catch this was a phoenix company? They have indemnity insurance they might be able to claim on..which they will resist doing.. But it's a long shot.

Original poster
Deedeedocket · 12/03/2021 21:59

Bank transfer. But the contract states if work is not passed on you will be entitled to a refund or pro-rata refund as they guarantee you x amount of jobs per week. That’s why it all sounded so legit.

OP posts:
LunaHeather · 12/03/2021 21:59

Also is the solicitor linked to the company?

LunaHeather · 12/03/2021 22:00

@Deedeedocket

Bank transfer. But the contract states if work is not passed on you will be entitled to a refund or pro-rata refund as they guarantee you x amount of jobs per week. That’s why it all sounded so legit.
Did it state what happened to the money if the company closed?
Original poster
Deedeedocket · 12/03/2021 22:01

No solicitor someone dh knows. Nothing on contract about company going under.

OP posts:
LunaHeather · 12/03/2021 22:03

@Deedeedocket

No solicitor someone dh knows. Nothing on contract about company going under.
I'm surprised the solicitor didn't ask that question.

Hopefully Trading Standards can help.

VanCleefArpels · 12/03/2021 22:04

Are you not covered by your own insurance?

OP posts:
Original poster
Deedeedocket · 12/03/2021 22:05

I will check our insurance never thought that. Trading standards passed me onto action fraud.

OP posts:
HelpMeh · 12/03/2021 22:06

What does your solicitor advise? That's who I would be going back to on this.

Original poster
Deedeedocket · 12/03/2021 22:08

Not spoken to him yet. To be honest dh feels like a total idiot. I think his pride is getting in the way of speaking to solicitor as it’s a friend. Me on the other hand, I don’t care about my pride I want the bloody money back.

I’ve now got five other people who have been taken in by exact same scam.

OP posts:
WitchesBritchesPumpkinPants · 12/03/2021 22:08

Did you pay the solicitor or did he do it as a favour to DH?

Original poster
Deedeedocket · 12/03/2021 22:11

Yes we paid £150 to the solicitor.

OP posts:
JetBlackSteed · 12/03/2021 22:14

I'd go back to your solicitor you paid for that advice

LunaHeather · 12/03/2021 22:37

I see from the link Action Fraud are on it already

What have they said? Is it worth finding a no win, no fee solicitor?

I'm guessing if you have legal cover on your home insurance, it might exclude business matters but do check.

VanCleefArpels · 12/03/2021 22:38

If it was a limited company then you are unlikely to get the money back - especially if it was a company with few assets. If it was wound up then you will be in the queue with everyone else. Then they can just set up a new limited company and do the same thing all over again sadly

Original poster
Deedeedocket · 12/03/2021 22:38

That’s an old story. Same scam not sure if it’s a different company. Different people anyway.

OP posts:
Joeblack066 · 12/03/2021 22:49

Similar happened to me years ago- this involved putting For Sale boards up for an online estate agency. All seemed so very legit. Had to pay a deposit for a digital camera (they were new and it was high spec) and then attend training. Paid £195 deposit but they kept stalling the training. Next thing all had disappeared. Was so angry with myself for being scammed. Not a lot but I was a single parent and only just getting by as it was. So sorry this had happened to you.

Collaborate · 13/03/2021 09:48

@JetBlackSteed

I'd go back to your solicitor you paid for that advice
OP's husband asked the solicitor friend to look over the contract - that's why it was only £150. For that you're not going to get a full credit check/report on the company as well.
ProfessorSlocombe · 13/03/2021 13:22

So a few inquiries and you discovered it was a scam and your so called solicitor didn't ?

Maybe you should swap jobs. Give your solicitor a call and get their sizing for overalls. Does your DH have a cheap nasty suit ?

Collaborate · 13/03/2021 13:57

@ProfessorSlocombe

So a few inquiries and you discovered it was a scam and your so called solicitor didn't ?

Maybe you should swap jobs. Give your solicitor a call and get their sizing for overalls. Does your DH have a cheap nasty suit ?

I imagine OP and her H asked the solicitor to look over the contract for them.

I'd be willing to bet a large sum of money that they did not ask the solicitor to advise on the commercial wisdom of entering in to a contractual relationship with that particular business. For starters, that's not legal advice. Secondly, it would cost a whole lot more than £150.

Original poster
Deedeedocket · 13/03/2021 14:37

The solicitor looked over the contract that was it.

Action fraud don’t seem to be that concerned but I’ve now found six people in same boat so that is almost £18k. I want to try and find out how we stop them doing this to other people!

OP posts: