Redbridge couple’s warning after losing £300 to roof con
Pat and Peter Franklin are angered after being conned out of £300 by roofers who were supposedly going to repair their roof - Credit: Archant
A woman who was conned out of £300 is warning other residents not to fall for the same ruse.
The married couple are warning other residents about the scam. Picture: Ken Mears - Credit: Archant
Patricia Franklin, 83, of Redbridge, said some men knocked at her door and offered to clean her gutter for £20 on Good Friday, March 30.
After taking up the offer her husband, Peter, went outside to watch them.
When the men finished, they told the couple that their roof was in a bad shape and said they could sort out the problem for £300.
“They came and got some water from my house and supposedly mixed up some cement,” she said.
You may also want to watch:
“They were up on the roof for 45 minutes.
“When I said I haven’t got £300 on me they escorted me to the cashpoint.”
Most Read
- 1 Revealed: The most popular baby names in your area in 2020
- 2 Co-living development green-lit by council despite 'rabbit hutch' rooms
- 3 Restaurant apologises after allegations of verbal abuse between staff
- 4 Nine Redbridge parks retain Green Flag Award status
- 5 Mercato Ilford 'delayed again' as council pushes for Christmas opening
- 6 Road and rail round-up: Disruptions to travel in east London this week
- 7 Young Citizen nominee: Esha, 4, who inspired thousands to join bone marrow donor list
- 8 'Not acceptable': Residents mount opposition to plumbers' building plan
- 9 'Sick and tired': More restaurants fall victim to Just Eat scammers
- 10 Anti-hate crime workshops to be delivered in Redbridge
After being paid the men swiftly went, but in their haste to go, they left behind some products.
“In the bag was stick up plasterboard and not cement,” she added.
“He had gone and rubbed it everywhere on my roof – I’m worried they have done some damage.”
Mrs Franklin said she is now being targeted by other scammers she thinks are in cahoots with them. She says a fake roofing company knocked on her door on Easter Monday, April 2.
“They showed me this beautiful card with an address and phone number on but I’m not so gullible this time.
“We looked up the address number of 101 but the road only goes up to 78.
“They are probably in league with the others.”
Mrs Franklin said she is speaking about her ordeal to save someone else from going through the same experience.
“It was my own stupid fault but I don’t want others to lose money – who has a spare £300?” she said.
Marc Gloc, of Redbridge trading standards, said since October 2016 £200,000 has been lost to cold callers and 90per cent is through roofing scams.
“What starts out as a small job can turn into a big job.
“It’s all a ploy to get feet through the door.
“Don’t use cold callers, buy through a vetted scheme like buy with confidence.”
