Anything I can do to get my money back?

[connie26]

I think I've been done out of £250 by a workman who has not turned up on four occasions to do the job and is not replying to my messages now. I paid £250 via bank transfer for the materials he needed. Is there any way I can get my money back through the bank or will I have to just take the hit?

I don't think banks are obliged to give the money back as tradesmen not doing work is typically covered by civil law/trading standards not bank fraud however I would call to see if they can just in case.

Do you have confirmation in writing or text about the job and what the money is for?

Contact your bank and explain the situation. Ask the bank if they can request to the tradesman's bank, for the money you transferred to be returned. There's no guarantee it will be successful, but if you don't at least try, you won't know. Contact Trading Standards and report this person for fraud. He's obtaining jobs, asking for money for materials, and then not starting the work agreed. Trading Standards won't be able to sort out a refund, but by reporting him, it stops him from doing the same to others. Your last resort would be going through the Small Claims Court process. I believe that it's quite simple to do.

Small claims court

What paperwork or agreement do you have with this tradesperson, and what proof do you have about what the money was for? Did he send emails, texts, some sort of bill or quote? How did he give you his bank details and ask for the amount of money you were to pay? Did he confirm receipt of it?

No paperwork, just text messages. I've been so naive, could kick myself!

Something similar happened to me. I contacted HSBC and explained. I got my money back minus £100 excess.