0:00:02 > 0:00:06We're all under pressure to make our money go further and further,
0:00:06 > 0:00:11so what's worse than something going wrong with our home? Last year we spent £15 billion on repairs.
0:00:11 > 0:00:15But who can tell for sure that we've not been taken for a ride?
0:00:15 > 0:00:19- It's 475 in all. - 350 quid?
0:00:19 > 0:00:21You're joking.
0:00:21 > 0:00:24Probably about seven-and-a-half grand.
0:00:24 > 0:00:31Thanks to audacious secret filming, we'll demonstrate how easy it is to be ripped off in your own home.
0:00:31 > 0:00:36- I'm afraid you've been ripped off. He's not a bona fide tradesman. - Really?
0:00:36 > 0:00:39It's a lot of money for 10 minutes.
0:00:39 > 0:00:41- Were they set up as well?- No!
0:00:42 > 0:00:47And we show the consequences of some truly shocking tradesmen rip-offs.
0:00:47 > 0:00:51There's cowboys in every business. I was unlucky.
0:00:51 > 0:00:54Having no roof is horrific, really.
0:00:54 > 0:00:58I just couldn't believe it. I was totally devastated.
0:00:58 > 0:01:00Coming up on today's show:
0:01:00 > 0:01:05watch as our acting rogue, Roger, faces his toughest consumer yet.
0:01:05 > 0:01:10Will he con this businessman out of hundreds for drainage repairs?
0:01:10 > 0:01:13- He's looking very upset about it. - Not happy.
0:01:13 > 0:01:21The heartless West Midlands cowboy who drove off with a pensioner's savings after a driveway con.
0:01:21 > 0:01:24None of the work he carried out appeared competent.
0:01:24 > 0:01:30And a no-nonsense East Ender seems to be falling for Roger's money-spinning tricks,
0:01:30 > 0:01:32but she's getting suspicious.
0:01:32 > 0:01:35'They just seem strange.'
0:01:35 > 0:01:38She thinks they're cowboys.
0:01:38 > 0:01:42These are the dirty tricks of the tradesmen.
0:01:47 > 0:01:52I don't know a huge amount about trades like roofing or plumbing.
0:01:52 > 0:01:57That's why we rely on tradesmen and we expect them to do a good job.
0:01:57 > 0:02:05The vast majority of them do exactly that. Only a small minority give tradesmen a bad name.
0:02:05 > 0:02:09Today we're meeting people who've been ripped off by the cowboys.
0:02:09 > 0:02:15And with your help we'll show how easy it is to fall for the oldest tricks in the tradesmen's books.
0:02:15 > 0:02:21People have been setting up friends and relatives for a visit from our very own tradesman. Why?
0:02:21 > 0:02:26To show you how to avoid being taken to the cleaners.
0:02:26 > 0:02:29So allow me to present Roger Bisby.
0:02:29 > 0:02:36A builder with more than 40 years' experience, he's forgotten more than you or I could ever learn.
0:02:38 > 0:02:44But we're asking Roger to change tack just for today and go against his deeply-held beliefs.
0:02:44 > 0:02:49He's going to play a dodgy tradesman and show us how not to get conned.
0:02:49 > 0:02:54We've set up a few minor household problems so that Roger can fix them.
0:02:54 > 0:03:00He'll be working with our cameraman, Luke, who'll act as an apprentice so they can film everything in secret.
0:03:00 > 0:03:05In a moment, we'll find out where they'll play their first dirty tricks.
0:03:05 > 0:03:10Many rogues turn minor household issues into massive con tricks.
0:03:10 > 0:03:16Something as simple as mould, keeping your home dry and well ventilated will stop it.
0:03:16 > 0:03:23Roger's visiting a mould-free household to see if he can trick the owners to think they have a problem.
0:03:23 > 0:03:27Mum-of-two Sabrina Scarborough lives in East London.
0:03:27 > 0:03:31She's asking her best friend Nicola to house sit for her.
0:03:31 > 0:03:36I've known her since I was about nine. She's a bit gullible.
0:03:36 > 0:03:42She's a bit cautious, a bit nosy. So she would inquire into what is going on.
0:03:42 > 0:03:47Sabrina tells Nicola that there is a weird smell in her airing cupboard
0:03:47 > 0:03:53and a tradesman is coming to check it out. What will this feisty East Ender make of Roger and Luke
0:03:53 > 0:04:00- and their fake mould? - I've got some fancy mushrooms and some food colouring.
0:04:00 > 0:04:04We'll paint these a greener colour to make them more realistic.
0:04:04 > 0:04:10- And mix it up with soil as well. - We won't get a couple of hundred quid for taking out those,
0:04:10 > 0:04:14so we need more devices to add value to it.
0:04:14 > 0:04:19So Roger's also brought along a cheap fan heater, which he'll pretend is a dehumidifier,
0:04:19 > 0:04:26and moisture-absorbing crystals. With the mushrooms marinating in the mud and food colouring,
0:04:26 > 0:04:28they're all set.
0:04:28 > 0:04:32When Roger places that fake fungus in the airing cupboard,
0:04:32 > 0:04:39he'll then try some scare tactics to make Nicola think there's a big outbreak of toxic mould.
0:04:39 > 0:04:43He'll also overcharge for the dehumidifier and the crystals.
0:04:43 > 0:04:49He won't be sucking any moisture out of the flat, just a few hundred pounds out of Nicola. The rotter!
0:04:51 > 0:04:58Damp-absorbing crystals can be picked up in most DIY stores and Roger's entire outlay for this scam
0:04:58 > 0:05:03is less than £20, but he's hoping to charge at least £200 - a ten-fold price hike.
0:05:06 > 0:05:09When Roger and Luke pitch up,
0:05:09 > 0:05:14Nicola is safely installed at Sabrina's, ready to supervise.
0:05:14 > 0:05:18- Which way, mate? Oh, is it you? - Is it for the water thing?- Yes.
0:05:18 > 0:05:25- Hello. Are you Sabrina? - No, I'm Sabrina's friend.- Great. All you need is one good friend.
0:05:25 > 0:05:32- It's up here.- Hmm, Nicola isn't asking for ID, breaking the first rule and just asking for trouble.
0:05:32 > 0:05:36The airing cupboard is on the upstairs landing.
0:05:36 > 0:05:38There you go. This is the tank.
0:05:38 > 0:05:40We'll just get a few tools in.
0:05:42 > 0:05:46She's a nice lady, as they all tend to be.
0:05:46 > 0:05:52Very trusting. She's left us to it. We've had a look at the scene of the crime that's about to be committed.
0:05:52 > 0:05:57Nothing much going on really, but we'll make something of it.
0:05:57 > 0:06:03We've got our magic mushrooms, so we'll plant those in there, then discover them.
0:06:03 > 0:06:10- Sorry. We locked ourselves out. - Magic mushrooms? I hope they're not hallucinogenic! Nicola won't see
0:06:10 > 0:06:17as she's on the phone - a perfect moment to set this up and sneak his exotic fungus into the cupboard.
0:06:17 > 0:06:20Eeew.
0:06:20 > 0:06:23Oh, there's a spot round there.
0:06:23 > 0:06:28- OK, right. I can smell something here. - It's quite whiffy, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:06:28 > 0:06:33- Nicola...- Time to bring in Nicola to catch a whiff of the problem.
0:06:33 > 0:06:37I can smell something up here. Just, just, just...
0:06:37 > 0:06:40What is supposed to be the problem?
0:06:40 > 0:06:47It's supposed to be very damp. There's a lot of mustiness and all this mouldiness.
0:06:47 > 0:06:52- We get used to the smells... - It smells dampish.- Smell it?- Yeah.
0:06:52 > 0:06:56- Have a sniff in there.- I'm not sticking my head in there.- OK.
0:06:56 > 0:06:59- I'll get the danger money. - You're so brave(!)
0:06:59 > 0:07:02- Where is the toxic mould?- Eew!
0:07:03 > 0:07:06Eew, there's something in here.
0:07:06 > 0:07:08- What's in there?- I dunno.
0:07:08 > 0:07:10Ah! Good luck to you!
0:07:10 > 0:07:14- No, no, don't go away! I might need you.- You can take it...
0:07:14 > 0:07:17Where's the bin? Here, look.
0:07:17 > 0:07:18Ohh(!)
0:07:18 > 0:07:20Oh, my God. Look.
0:07:21 > 0:07:24- What is it?- I dunno.
0:07:24 > 0:07:28- Did you put that in there?- No... - Rewind the tape!
0:07:28 > 0:07:32I want to hear that again, Nicola. You questioned him.
0:07:32 > 0:07:37- What is it?- I dunno. - Did you put that in there?- No.
0:07:37 > 0:07:43We wouldn't put that in there. I don't know what to do with it. I'll take it down to the bin.
0:07:43 > 0:07:48- Put it in your bag and you can put it in the bin. - That's right, you tell him.
0:07:50 > 0:07:55So how on earth will Roger turn these cheap tricks to his advantage?
0:07:55 > 0:07:59I want to leave this dehumidifier going to get rid of the moisture.
0:07:59 > 0:08:03But could Roger and Luke's act be wearing thin?
0:08:03 > 0:08:05'They just seem...strange.'
0:08:05 > 0:08:08She thinks they're cowboys.
0:08:12 > 0:08:19Whoops. Maybe Roger's been rumbled. One of the most common scams involves driveways and tarmac.
0:08:19 > 0:08:23The consumer in our next story must have felt very relieved
0:08:23 > 0:08:26when this West Midlands cowboy felt the long arm of the law.
0:08:28 > 0:08:32Out of the darkness cometh light.
0:08:32 > 0:08:37That's the motto of Wolverhampton City Council. It's a fine sentiment,
0:08:37 > 0:08:44but unfortunately for local residents, also out of the darkness came the swindler Stacy Handley.
0:08:44 > 0:08:51He was a prolific driveway rogue. Every piece of work he did in some way went wrong.
0:08:51 > 0:08:54And he made no attempt to put it right.
0:08:54 > 0:09:00Handley was famous in Wolverhampton for driveway scams.
0:09:00 > 0:09:06His company offered tarmac coatings at low prices, but the quality of work left a lot to be desired.
0:09:06 > 0:09:11They were installed quickly, cheaply and without proper foundations or borders. Cracks soon appeared
0:09:11 > 0:09:16and weeds broke through, turning his dream driveways into nightmares.
0:09:16 > 0:09:23Even after he realised we were investigating, he still continued to commit offences.
0:09:23 > 0:09:28In fact, the last job he did, he started two days before he was due in court.
0:09:28 > 0:09:32He seemed to have no sense of danger at all.
0:09:34 > 0:09:39In common with many villainous tradesmen, he sought out vulnerable citizens.
0:09:39 > 0:09:43People like 89-year-old Alfred Thomas.
0:09:44 > 0:09:49Stacy Handley was a very pleasant man, very charming, really.
0:09:52 > 0:09:56He was plausible. I'm usually a good judge of character,
0:09:56 > 0:09:59being in business over 50 years.
0:10:01 > 0:10:04I was getting the car out one morning
0:10:04 > 0:10:10and he came along the street and asked me if I wanted a drive done.
0:10:12 > 0:10:18Alfred was impressed by the smooth talking and a dossier of impressive leaflets and brochures
0:10:18 > 0:10:24with the company name. On paper, he seemed to have a raft of satisfied customers
0:10:24 > 0:10:30and impressive driveways. What Alfred didn't realise was these were all part of the trick.
0:10:30 > 0:10:36The only problem with the leaflets was the work looked wonderful, but he hadn't done any of it.
0:10:36 > 0:10:42It was all carried out by proper businesses. He found the pictures on the internet.
0:10:43 > 0:10:50Alfred didn't find that out until much later. Handley's van was labelled up with impressive signs
0:10:50 > 0:10:56and an 0800 telephone number, giving all the indications of a large and reputable company.
0:10:56 > 0:11:01He was so persuasive that Alfred agreed to employ him at once,
0:11:01 > 0:11:08without thinking things over or getting other quotes. As Peter Calvert says, this is rarely wise.
0:11:08 > 0:11:14Cancellation rights say that where you cold call somebody or visit them at home,
0:11:14 > 0:11:18you have to give them a written notice that says how they can cancel.
0:11:18 > 0:11:22You're not supposed to start work until that period's expired.
0:11:22 > 0:11:28What some people do is try to get people to sign a waiver saying start immediately.
0:11:28 > 0:11:32If someone does that, be suspicious. It probably won't be very good.
0:11:32 > 0:11:36He quoted me £1,400 to do it.
0:11:36 > 0:11:39So I said, "No, I can't afford that."
0:11:39 > 0:11:44And he went down... down to £1,000, eventually.
0:11:44 > 0:11:48And so I said, "Oh, yes, all right. I'll do it, then."
0:11:48 > 0:11:53So he came the next morning and started to do it.
0:11:53 > 0:11:57Handley's company offered a guarantee of 8 years.
0:11:57 > 0:12:03Convinced he had a good deal, Alfred watched his 50-year-old drive being transformed
0:12:03 > 0:12:09with sparkling new tarmac. Then after just a few hours, Handley pulled the old trick
0:12:09 > 0:12:11and demanded more money.
0:12:11 > 0:12:18He said, "If you want a chemical in to stop the weeds coming through,
0:12:19 > 0:12:22"it'll be another £150."
0:12:22 > 0:12:27So I said, "I don't want the weeds to come through, so you'd better do that."
0:12:27 > 0:12:35When he'd finished, he took me to the building society to get the money out.
0:12:36 > 0:12:39And...they went.
0:12:39 > 0:12:44It was only when the rogues had dropped him home £1,150 poorer
0:12:44 > 0:12:48that the awful reality of their work dawned on him.
0:12:48 > 0:12:50I wasn't particularly happy with it,
0:12:50 > 0:12:55but I thought perhaps it would settle down.
0:12:55 > 0:13:02But it didn't settle down and in a fortnight there was growth coming through,
0:13:02 > 0:13:08grass, weeds and all sorts. There were ripples in the surface of the drive.
0:13:09 > 0:13:14And water was lying in the dents.
0:13:17 > 0:13:22A shrub has broken through the tarmac.
0:13:24 > 0:13:27Just broken the tarmac up.
0:13:27 > 0:13:34You could feel the ripples where the water lies, all up and down the drive.
0:13:34 > 0:13:40The growth that was coming through is all along the border.
0:13:40 > 0:13:43Right down to the garage.
0:13:44 > 0:13:49He also moved this pillar. It's not upright at all.
0:13:49 > 0:13:52It's all on the skew.
0:13:52 > 0:13:57With water collecting on the uneven tarmac, it was clear there were no firm foundations.
0:13:57 > 0:14:04And the cheeky £150 for that weed-proof coating hadn't stopped the weeds at all.
0:14:04 > 0:14:08Alfred challenged the tradesman to return and put things right.
0:14:08 > 0:14:16When the weeds started to come through, I rang him up and he said, "I'll come and have a look today."
0:14:16 > 0:14:22But he never came. So I rang several times and he didn't come.
0:14:22 > 0:14:24So I wrote a letter.
0:14:24 > 0:14:27I didn't get any reply to the letter.
0:14:27 > 0:14:31So a kind neighbour
0:14:31 > 0:14:37from across the road from me said, "I'll go and find the address."
0:14:37 > 0:14:42It turned out that the address was fake. It was a private home
0:14:42 > 0:14:46belonging to a woman who had no connection to Handley.
0:14:46 > 0:14:52Alfred now feared the worst - that he'd been tricked and lost his £1,150 for good.
0:14:52 > 0:14:57The only option left was to report the matter to Trading Standards.
0:14:58 > 0:15:04A common complaint was people parked their car for the first time and it sank into the driveway.
0:15:04 > 0:15:11- His advice was don't park it in the same place twice.- An expert who reviewed Handley's work stated:
0:15:22 > 0:15:26Handley pleaded guilty to 71 charges of fraud against 31 victims.
0:15:26 > 0:15:31Between them they had paid him a shocking £57,000
0:15:31 > 0:15:36for tarmac driveways that succumbed to cracks, weeds and water holes.
0:15:36 > 0:15:42We were very lucky in this case. A number of people, including Mr Thomas, gave very good statements
0:15:42 > 0:15:48showing they'd been ripped off, so we got him in prison for 18 months.
0:15:50 > 0:15:57Unfortunately for Alfred Thomas and the other victims, the conviction was a bittersweet victory.
0:15:57 > 0:16:01We put in compensation claims between £35,000 and £40,000.
0:16:01 > 0:16:06The court didn't award anything as he only had £5 in his bank account.
0:16:06 > 0:16:11For those people, their money's gone. They're not going to get it back.
0:16:11 > 0:16:14Oh, I felt very angry. Very angry.
0:16:15 > 0:16:20Because I've been in business for over 50 years
0:16:20 > 0:16:25and I always treated my customers fairly.
0:16:25 > 0:16:29And I expected to be treated the same.
0:16:30 > 0:16:36So I was very angry when I found out I had been done.
0:16:40 > 0:16:46Later, another extraordinary story of a rogue tradesman banged up in South London
0:16:46 > 0:16:49for some of the dirtiest tricks imaginable.
0:16:49 > 0:16:55He said I'd got a dead squirrel up there. It would be another £2,000.
0:16:55 > 0:17:00But our rogues meet a strong-minded consumer from Essex who gives them a rough ride
0:17:00 > 0:17:07- over their plans to overcharge. - How about 350? Mates' rates. - I still think it's a lot.
0:17:07 > 0:17:14Now back to East London where Nicola is house-sitting and Roger is playing his messy tricks.
0:17:14 > 0:17:18Nicola's keeping an eye on Roger while her friend, Sabrina, pops out.
0:17:18 > 0:17:24He's used mud, mushrooms and food colouring to concoct a handful of sopping wet fungus,
0:17:24 > 0:17:31which he hid in the airing cupboard. By pulling it out in front of Nicola he wants to scare her into thinking
0:17:31 > 0:17:35- it's toxic mould.- Eew! - Did you put that in there?- No!
0:17:35 > 0:17:40- What do you mean?!- You put that... - To wind you up? Don't be ridiculous.
0:17:40 > 0:17:48So far, Nicola's keeping an open mind, but Roger has more tricks to play to make her part with money.
0:17:48 > 0:17:52There's been a bit of a leak from the tank, I think.
0:17:52 > 0:17:57I think there might be a leak under the tank. It's mouldiness growing.
0:17:57 > 0:18:03It's a mouldy, stringy, fungus-y... Eew. Makes you feel funny just touching it.
0:18:03 > 0:18:05I'll just get rid of it.
0:18:08 > 0:18:15OK, we got a bit of a reaction there. We discovered the fungus lurking behind the cold water tank.
0:18:15 > 0:18:19Actually, she suggested that I'd put it in there!
0:18:19 > 0:18:25Where would she get an idea like that from? She's probably been watching too much television.
0:18:25 > 0:18:29But now... my strategy is now
0:18:29 > 0:18:34to introduce a few dehumidifiers into the equation
0:18:34 > 0:18:40and start to get a little bit of hi-tech stuff in there to charge for.
0:18:40 > 0:18:45Roger may think he's hoodwinked her, but Nicola is no fool.
0:18:45 > 0:18:50She's on the phone to Sabrina with concerns about the tradesmen.
0:18:50 > 0:18:52'They just seem strange.'
0:18:52 > 0:18:54Is it?
0:18:54 > 0:18:56She thinks they're cowboys
0:18:56 > 0:19:03and they're pulling out all these different things that she thinks they have put there.
0:19:03 > 0:19:05She thinks they're taking the Mick.
0:19:05 > 0:19:11Watch out, Roger. He mentioned a dehumidifier, which is just an old fan heater.
0:19:11 > 0:19:16He also has moisture traps which can be picked up for less than £20.
0:19:16 > 0:19:22He's hoping to make more than £200 from these tricks, a 1,000% price hike.
0:19:22 > 0:19:26I can't wait to see what Nicola makes of this jumble.
0:19:26 > 0:19:28We'll get rid of the humidity here.
0:19:32 > 0:19:34We'll sanitise the area.
0:19:35 > 0:19:40Stick that in over there, mate. Stick it on... on the dehumidifying.
0:19:40 > 0:19:45Stick it on dehumidify? You're having a laugh, aren't you?
0:19:45 > 0:19:47Oh, that's much nicer.
0:19:48 > 0:19:50Straight away.
0:19:51 > 0:19:56OK. You all right? What we'll do is leave this dehumidifier going.
0:19:56 > 0:20:02I want to leave this dehumidifier going to get rid of the moisture and mould in the air.
0:20:02 > 0:20:07We'll stick moisture traps in the back to dry it all out.
0:20:07 > 0:20:09These also take the odour away.
0:20:09 > 0:20:15- Will that stop the leak?- Yeah, yeah. I've done that. It was just a small nut so I've done that.
0:20:15 > 0:20:19Nicola isn't showing much interest in what they're doing.
0:20:19 > 0:20:25I bet she'd rumble straight away that it isn't a dehumidifier. Let's hope it doesn't cost her dear.
0:20:25 > 0:20:29We've set the dehumidifier going and put humidity traps in.
0:20:29 > 0:20:32How long's that going to run for?
0:20:32 > 0:20:36A dehumidifier? You could just run it today for...
0:20:36 > 0:20:41It's very low. Just leave it. It's part of the kit. They can use it.
0:20:41 > 0:20:46Hmm, Nicola's suspicious and it's great to see her asking questions
0:20:46 > 0:20:52rather than meekly accept his manky old waffle, but her biggest test will come with the bill.
0:20:52 > 0:20:54It can't be long now.
0:20:54 > 0:20:59In the winter, if moisture starts to build up, it's best to have one.
0:20:59 > 0:21:06You can just run it for a few hours, then switch it off. But we've got rid of that anyway,
0:21:06 > 0:21:13- so all we need really for that is 175 quid for the call out and... - 175?- 175, yeah. Cash.
0:21:13 > 0:21:20That's 175 for some mushrooms and an old fan. She's not really going to pay him, is she?
0:21:22 > 0:21:28Nicola has let a dodgy plumber into her friend's house. She was suspicious of the mushroom mixture,
0:21:28 > 0:21:34and called Sabrina to check on him. When he lied about fixing a leak, she didn't check
0:21:34 > 0:21:40and she's taken little interest in his gadgets. Now he's poised to overcharge for them.
0:21:42 > 0:21:46- You're going for the cash? 175. - There's 180 there.
0:21:46 > 0:21:49- She'll want her fiver.- I'll get it.
0:21:50 > 0:21:53Oh, Nicola. You were doing so well.
0:21:53 > 0:21:58- Sorry, it's all I've got. I haven't got any notes.- That's all right.
0:21:58 > 0:22:02I'm not sure getting your change back will make up for it.
0:22:02 > 0:22:04Thank you. Have a nice day.
0:22:04 > 0:22:11So £175 handed over for messing around with mushrooms and leaving an old fan heater.
0:22:11 > 0:22:15That's still a price hike of more than 750%.
0:22:15 > 0:22:20You'd better make tracks before she realises she's been conned.
0:22:25 > 0:22:31With the rogues out of sight, our producer must reveal the truth about Roger's tricks to Nicola.
0:22:31 > 0:22:38Hello. Hi, there. I wonder if I could have a quick word. We're from the BBC.
0:22:38 > 0:22:42We've been doing some investigations of various tradesmen.
0:22:42 > 0:22:49- OK. What do they look like? - Em, the older guy... is slim build, he's got fair hair.
0:22:49 > 0:22:53He's usually with a younger guy with dark hair.
0:22:53 > 0:22:58But it's not my flat. I don't wanna...say, you know.
0:22:58 > 0:23:04You know what, I don't want to sound funny, but I rung my mate and said, "Hurry up and come back."
0:23:04 > 0:23:08They didn't seem right to me, you know.
0:23:08 > 0:23:15And once... I know this sounds really bad, but one seemed too posh to be a plumber.
0:23:15 > 0:23:19I wish you'd knocked on the door while they were here.
0:23:19 > 0:23:25I think Nicola's suffered enough. Time for Sabrina to come clean and return the cash.
0:23:25 > 0:23:30- You got pranked! - I told you! What did I say?!
0:23:30 > 0:23:32You are such a BLEEP!
0:23:32 > 0:23:36I said to her, "You've got to come!" BLEEP
0:23:36 > 0:23:38'When Roger arrived,'
0:23:38 > 0:23:46I didn't think they looked much like real tradesmen. I thought they looked maybe...slightly odd.
0:23:46 > 0:23:51- And you paid them. - I made them give me £5 change.
0:23:51 > 0:23:52£5?
0:23:52 > 0:23:58I thought it was a lot of money, but then I had my suspicions they were scamming
0:23:58 > 0:24:02and didn't believe they'd fixed what the problem was.
0:24:02 > 0:24:08- You should give me the money! - I've got to give it back to you. - Yeah.- Legally speaking.
0:24:08 > 0:24:13'I was surprised to be scammed, you know.'
0:24:13 > 0:24:19My advice to anyone watching would be that if any tradesmen come, make sure they show proper ID.
0:24:19 > 0:24:25If you've got any suspicions about them, call the company that they're supposed to be from
0:24:25 > 0:24:29just to verify that they are who they're supposed to be.
0:24:29 > 0:24:36Thanks for helping us out, Nicola. But what should you do in that situation to avoid a con?
0:24:36 > 0:24:41Keep a close eye on anyone who works on your house to be sure they behave.
0:24:41 > 0:24:47Always ask lots of questions and if you have the slightest instinct of suspicious behaviour,
0:24:47 > 0:24:51contact Trading Standards for advice.
0:24:53 > 0:24:59Making this programme, we've heard stories of cowboys planting all kinds of props for their tricks,
0:24:59 > 0:25:03like planks of rotten wood or strips of burnt wire.
0:25:03 > 0:25:09In a moment we'll see a real-life instance of a tradesman trying to fake a squirrel infestation.
0:25:09 > 0:25:13First, Roger tries his own version of that.
0:25:14 > 0:25:21Today Yvonne Wayne is setting up her boss, Peter Stoburgh, a businessman in Essex.
0:25:21 > 0:25:27I've worked for Peter for three years. I'm always telling him not to be too gullible.
0:25:27 > 0:25:33He's forever listening to sales people and believing what they say.
0:25:33 > 0:25:38Some people are not as nice as he is and he needs to be a bit careful.
0:25:38 > 0:25:42Yvonne works in Peter's car repair workshop, built beside his home.
0:25:42 > 0:25:46She's told him the toilets there keep getting blocked
0:25:46 > 0:25:49and she's called in tradesmen.
0:25:49 > 0:25:52Unfortunately, it's Roger and Luke.
0:25:52 > 0:25:58They're going to trick him into thinking the blockage is caused by burrowing squirrels.
0:25:59 > 0:26:05- What have you got to help us? - We've got some smoke grenades and a foam expander gun,
0:26:05 > 0:26:09- to plug up all the gaps.- Well, actually they're not in there.
0:26:09 > 0:26:14But we've got to convince the victim that they are in there.
0:26:14 > 0:26:18To help, we have squirrel droppings and a little bit of squirrel fur.
0:26:18 > 0:26:24Extraordinary. To convince Peter his drains are blocked with squirrels,
0:26:24 > 0:26:28Roger will plant fake droppings and fur. There are no squirrels.
0:26:28 > 0:26:35He'll also try to overcharge Peter for a smoke treatment to drive them out and for expanding foam.
0:26:35 > 0:26:38Of course, there are no squirrels,
0:26:38 > 0:26:42so you can rest assured there will be lots of flannel with the facts.
0:26:43 > 0:26:47Roger's expecting a whopping £500 for this.
0:26:47 > 0:26:53That's around four times the normal fee he'd get for unblocking a drain.
0:26:53 > 0:26:55They arrive just after 11 o'clock.
0:26:55 > 0:26:57Let's go, daddio.
0:26:57 > 0:27:02While they wait for Peter, they look for somewhere to plant evidence.
0:27:04 > 0:27:07- Hello.- Whoops! Too late.
0:27:07 > 0:27:11- Almost caught red-handed there. - I won't shake your hand.
0:27:11 > 0:27:17That's my assistant. I won't shake your hand. Obviously, they've been in horrible places.
0:27:17 > 0:27:23Peter hasn't checked their ID because he thinks Yvonne hired a reputable tradesman.
0:27:23 > 0:27:27But he has been checking if the drains are blocked. Uh-oh.
0:27:27 > 0:27:31- There's an inspection thing that I've tried to rod.- Yeah?
0:27:33 > 0:27:38It's like a sealed pipe that goes down there.
0:27:38 > 0:27:43That sounds a bit technical. The last thing our trickster wants is a have-a-go consumer
0:27:43 > 0:27:50- who knows what he's talking about. - At the end of the pipe is a screw cap. I put my steam cleaner up it.
0:27:50 > 0:27:56- It never seems to back up. - It doesn't sound like Peter is convinced there's a problem at all.
0:27:56 > 0:27:59- I flushed it this morning.- OK.
0:28:01 > 0:28:07The squirrels are on hold for now. Roger heads off on a fact-finding mission.
0:28:07 > 0:28:11Peter thinks he wants to know more about the drainage system,
0:28:11 > 0:28:15but Roger's really trying to get to know this consumer's weakness.
0:28:15 > 0:28:19It only happens once in a blue moon. I don't understand.
0:28:19 > 0:28:24And it was time well spent. Peter might be missing an air vent -
0:28:24 > 0:28:28information that could come in very handy later on.
0:28:28 > 0:28:32But he's also learnt something he's less happy about.
0:28:32 > 0:28:36I've just been chatting to him. He put the drains in himself.
0:28:36 > 0:28:39He knows this system backwards.
0:28:39 > 0:28:42He says he's getting no problem. We'll play it by ear.
0:28:42 > 0:28:48Peter seems so clued up, there's a chance he may not fall for any of Roger's tricks,
0:28:48 > 0:28:51so our rascal adapts his plans.
0:28:51 > 0:28:55That missing air vent has given him an idea.
0:28:55 > 0:28:59If this is blocked up a little bit and it builds up,
0:28:59 > 0:29:04it's got nowhere to go. If it had an air inlet at the end of it,
0:29:04 > 0:29:07it would allow it to come through.
0:29:07 > 0:29:11So an unnecessary ventilation pipe is the new dirty trick.
0:29:11 > 0:29:14It may just reap some rewards.
0:29:14 > 0:29:21- It would just allow that equalisation of pressure. - Like in my loft.- Yeah, yeah.
0:29:21 > 0:29:26- Valve talk. Fascinating(!) - I think you've done a good job,
0:29:26 > 0:29:33- but it's just that last bit where the vent pipe goes. - It's been like this for 30 years.
0:29:33 > 0:29:39Yeah. There's probably something in there, which just... A bit of blockage, or rats.
0:29:39 > 0:29:44It's been wonderful watching our rat Roger cope with such a knowledgeable consumer.
0:29:46 > 0:29:49So will Peter be sucked in by any of Roger's tricks?
0:29:49 > 0:29:52- Take it down.- Yee-ha!
0:29:52 > 0:29:54Smokin'!
0:29:54 > 0:29:59And how will he react when Roger presents him with the bill.
0:29:59 > 0:30:02- He's upset.- He's not very happy.
0:30:06 > 0:30:08I love it when consumers fight back.
0:30:08 > 0:30:15Roger's squirrel trick may seem far-fetched, but it's based on a shocking fraud in Kent.
0:30:15 > 0:30:22The good news is the fraudster concerned didn't get away with his rotten plan. He was banged up.
0:30:24 > 0:30:29South-east London has lived in fear of the Vincent family for some time.
0:30:29 > 0:30:33Trading Standards have been watching them very closely for years
0:30:33 > 0:30:39after two Vincent brothers were convicted of fraud against elderly consumers in 2011.
0:30:39 > 0:30:46But this time it was cousin Amos Vincent who, in November, 2010, scammed an 82-year-old grandmother.
0:30:46 > 0:30:52Clive Watts at Bexley Trading Standards investigated his stomach-churning cons.
0:30:54 > 0:31:00Rogue traders will use any tactic to get householders to agree
0:31:00 > 0:31:06to have work done. If necessary, they will use scare tactics to get them to pay even more money.
0:31:06 > 0:31:11In this case, the victim was so distressed at being manipulated
0:31:11 > 0:31:17that she's asked us to disguise her identity, so we're going to call her Mrs Smith.
0:31:17 > 0:31:23But she was keen to discuss the schemes the conmen used in order to warn other consumers.
0:31:23 > 0:31:29A man came to the door and said I'd got problems with my roof.
0:31:29 > 0:31:34It needed doing urgently, but he'd need £1,500 to get the materials.
0:31:34 > 0:31:40Conmen tend to pick on roofing work because most householders are unfamiliar with the roof condition
0:31:40 > 0:31:46and the older, more vulnerable householder is even less likely to know if it needs doing.
0:31:46 > 0:31:50He said the beam along the side of the house had gone.
0:31:50 > 0:31:55That worried me because I felt the beam was an important part of it.
0:31:55 > 0:31:59If that had gone, I've got to get something done.
0:32:00 > 0:32:02We went out into the back garden
0:32:02 > 0:32:07so that he could show me where there was a dip in the roof.
0:32:07 > 0:32:10The beam at the back had also gone.
0:32:10 > 0:32:13That worried me that it was as bad.
0:32:14 > 0:32:19Mrs Smith was so concerned that she paid him the full £1,500 in cash.
0:32:19 > 0:32:26She'd fallen for his first dirty trick of scare tactics and not asked for a quote or receipt.
0:32:26 > 0:32:33Now sensing an even bigger payout, this crook knew how to turn up the pressure on an elderly woman
0:32:33 > 0:32:36who was alone and worried about the state of her roof.
0:32:39 > 0:32:45The next morning I answered the door to a second man who said he'd been asked to look inside the loft.
0:32:45 > 0:32:49I took him upstairs and he pulled down the loft ladder.
0:32:49 > 0:32:51I came down and left him to it.
0:32:51 > 0:32:57He came down from the loft and said his boss wanted to speak to me.
0:32:57 > 0:33:02The boss said that there was more work to be done than he had thought
0:33:02 > 0:33:05and also I'd got a dead squirrel up there.
0:33:05 > 0:33:12So the whole loft would have to be fumigated because there would be maggots all over the place.
0:33:12 > 0:33:14He said it would be another £2,000.
0:33:14 > 0:33:22Another £2,000. Now that's a dirty trick - inventing an even bigger problem to push up the cost.
0:33:22 > 0:33:28The fact that I'd got this dead squirrel up in the roof and all these maggots,
0:33:28 > 0:33:33it made me feel terrible. I'd got to get rid of that as soon as possible.
0:33:33 > 0:33:38These men, they tell consumers that more and more work needs done.
0:33:38 > 0:33:45They keep inventing new things wrong with the roof. On this occasion, they threw in a dead squirrel.
0:33:45 > 0:33:52It's all designed to increase the pressure on the consumer and get them to pay more and more.
0:33:52 > 0:33:58Although I have a pull-down loft ladder, I do find it very difficult to get up into the roof.
0:33:58 > 0:34:02The work had to be done and so I agreed to pay the extra money.
0:34:02 > 0:34:07Terrified at the idea of her roof crashing down around her,
0:34:07 > 0:34:11the conman had caught his victim in a web of lies,
0:34:11 > 0:34:18but this devious rogue hadn't allowed for outside intervention when Mrs Smith went to her bank.
0:34:18 > 0:34:25The young counter clerk was suspicious because I'd already drawn out one lot of money.
0:34:25 > 0:34:28She went to get a senior colleague who told me
0:34:28 > 0:34:34not to take out the money and she would contact Trading Standards.
0:34:34 > 0:34:41We received a telephone call from a local bank who told us their customer had called in
0:34:41 > 0:34:48to collect a significant amount of cash for some building work for which she had no paperwork.
0:34:48 > 0:34:52It all sounded very suspicious, so we came along to investigate.
0:34:52 > 0:34:58We went round to the house and there didn't appear to be anything wrong with the roof whatsoever.
0:34:58 > 0:35:04No rotten timbers, certainly no squirrels and no sign of any work having been carried out.
0:35:04 > 0:35:09A classic, shocking scam deceiving an elderly woman out of her savings.
0:35:09 > 0:35:16Sadly, Mrs Smith had already lost £1,500, but the quick-thinking bank clerk
0:35:16 > 0:35:20meant that Trading Standards and the police could spring a trap
0:35:20 > 0:35:24for when the rogue workmen came back for the extra £2,000.
0:35:24 > 0:35:30He came in towards the front door and I was told I mustn't, on any account, answer the door.
0:35:30 > 0:35:33He was ringing the bell really hard.
0:35:33 > 0:35:38The man was arrested and there was little surprise as to who he was.
0:35:38 > 0:35:44He turned out to be Amos Vincent, part of a family causing problems of this type in south-east London
0:35:44 > 0:35:48and north-west Kent and were known to police and Trading Standards.
0:35:48 > 0:35:54Amos Vincent was sentenced to 40 months in prison for fraud in February, 2011.
0:35:54 > 0:35:58Mrs Smith regrets handing over the £1,500 without a receipt
0:35:58 > 0:36:05and without getting other quotes, but these are mistakes she's determined not to make again.
0:36:05 > 0:36:11I've learnt never to trust anybody that calls at the door saying that something wants doing
0:36:11 > 0:36:15and only to use builders or other workmen that are recommended.
0:36:18 > 0:36:24Good advice. And don't forget, Trading Standards respects your confidentiality
0:36:24 > 0:36:28so there's nothing to fear by reporting rogue activity.
0:36:28 > 0:36:34You could be stopping another consumer from becoming a victim. Now what about Peter in Essex?
0:36:34 > 0:36:41Roger was hoping to trick him into thinking squirrels had blocked his drains so he could overcharge him,
0:36:41 > 0:36:46but he's turned out to be a sharper consumer than anyone thought.
0:36:46 > 0:36:51- Whack it through. - It never seems to back up.
0:36:51 > 0:36:57After an hour of debate, Roger's trying to adapt his plan by fitting an unnecessary air vent pipe
0:36:57 > 0:37:03for which he'll crank up the bill. But Peter needs convincing that there's anything wrong at all.
0:37:04 > 0:37:08Which is where Roger's next trick comes in.
0:37:08 > 0:37:12It's time for a bit of high drama. We'll introduce the smoke bomb.
0:37:12 > 0:37:16He's just nipped up the road. As soon as he comes back,
0:37:16 > 0:37:19we'll let the smoke bomb go and tell him it's a test.
0:37:19 > 0:37:21They're coming back, Luke.
0:37:21 > 0:37:27So Roger's best hope of making any kind of money is to wow Peter with a demonstration
0:37:27 > 0:37:32- that something, anything, is wrong. - Are they on their way? - Now, now.- Yeah?
0:37:32 > 0:37:36If the smoke doesn't flow through the system properly,
0:37:36 > 0:37:40he'll have the evidence to prove that a new air vent needs fitting.
0:37:40 > 0:37:42Yee-ha! Smokin'!
0:37:44 > 0:37:48Let's just go down the land drain and see if we see it come out.
0:37:51 > 0:37:56No, nothing. We let a smoke test go and that proves it's got hydraulic pressure.
0:37:56 > 0:38:01Hmm. First squirrels and then smoke. This is getting desperate.
0:38:02 > 0:38:08OK. We had a good look at it. There could be tree root ingress there.
0:38:08 > 0:38:13- But I think the only thing you can say is put a vent up the end.- OK.
0:38:13 > 0:38:19- Do you want us to do that or you? - One last stab at springing the air vent trick.- How much is it?
0:38:19 > 0:38:21About 250.
0:38:21 > 0:38:23Yeah?
0:38:24 > 0:38:31- It's only a bend and a pipe. - You forget he knows what he's talking about, Roger.- I can do that.
0:38:31 > 0:38:37- You don't need a degree in sanitary engineering.- It sounds like Pete has got that degree
0:38:37 > 0:38:40and your plan's going down the pan.
0:38:40 > 0:38:44- What do I owe you? - Just for today, 500 quid.
0:38:44 > 0:38:48- If it's cash.- How much?! For a couple of smoke bombs?
0:38:48 > 0:38:54- If we're not going to get any work out of it, any other work. - You really want 500 quid?
0:38:54 > 0:39:00- Is that all right?- It's a lot. - Well, we just like getting a lot of money.
0:39:00 > 0:39:04- Careful. Peter doesn't sound happy. - Do you want to pay cash or cheque?
0:39:04 > 0:39:07- Whatever's cheapest.- Cash.
0:39:07 > 0:39:13- I don't know if I've got 500. - You almost have to admire Roger's audacity.
0:39:13 > 0:39:17- He looks very upset.- BLEEP - Yeah, you would too, Roger,
0:39:17 > 0:39:21if you were being fleeced for 500 quid.
0:39:24 > 0:39:31I just said to him I want 500 quid and I could just see it in his face, going, "Ouch, that hurts."
0:39:31 > 0:39:38He's gone off to get it. We might have to take some in a cheque. We live in hope.
0:39:40 > 0:39:44Today, Peter Stoburgh let our dodgy tradesmen tackle his plumbing.
0:39:44 > 0:39:50Roger wanted £500 for investigating the drains. Peter proved to be an on-the-ball consumer,
0:39:50 > 0:39:53refusing to agree to any extra work.
0:39:53 > 0:39:58Roger's spent nearly two hours on this job and needs something to show for it.
0:39:58 > 0:40:01Will he persuade Peter to pay up?
0:40:02 > 0:40:08- I just think that's a bit strong. - What do you think is fair? - I was expecting a couple of hundred.
0:40:08 > 0:40:13- Right. You reckon 200 is fair? - Yeah, I think it's very fair.
0:40:13 > 0:40:15How about 350?
0:40:15 > 0:40:17Cash. Mates' rates.
0:40:17 > 0:40:21I still think it's a lot. I'll give you 300 cash.
0:40:21 > 0:40:24- How about 350?- No, 300 quid.- 300?
0:40:24 > 0:40:27Yeah, I'll get you a card.
0:40:27 > 0:40:33- I'll give you 300 quid.- All right. - I think that's 100 quid more than it should be.- All right.
0:40:33 > 0:40:38- What a tough negotiator Peter is. - Right. You happy with 300 quid? - I'm not happy, but...
0:40:38 > 0:40:42I don't want to spend the rest of the morning arguing with you.
0:40:42 > 0:40:45That's a big old discount you got.
0:40:45 > 0:40:48Deal done. Finally.
0:40:49 > 0:40:53Peter put up a good fight - a lesson to us all,
0:40:53 > 0:40:59but he's still ended up paying Roger £300 for a job, which didn't need doing.
0:40:59 > 0:41:03- Don't shake my hand. I've been down drains.- You're a good man.
0:41:03 > 0:41:11Once Roger is safely out of the picture, our producer must reveal the truth to Peter about his tricks.
0:41:11 > 0:41:17- We're from the BBC.- Yeah? - We're just doing some investigations in the area.- Yeah?
0:41:17 > 0:41:23We had some reports of various tradesmen who have not been doing very good jobs.
0:41:23 > 0:41:29This is not because of someone that's been here, is it? I thought he was a bit expensive.
0:41:29 > 0:41:34- Did you pay him in cash? - I did because he wanted some cash.
0:41:34 > 0:41:38- Yeah.- Would you mind me asking how much it was?
0:41:38 > 0:41:41Er, he wanted 500 quid.
0:41:41 > 0:41:43I thought that was a rip-off.
0:41:43 > 0:41:49It's time to reveal the part Peter's employee Yvonne played in setting him up.
0:41:50 > 0:41:55- I don't know who this is. Do you know who this is? - No, but you know who she is.
0:41:58 > 0:42:00Ah... BLEEP
0:42:00 > 0:42:03- We decided to scam you. - 'When Roger arrived,'
0:42:03 > 0:42:06he was very friendly and helpful.
0:42:06 > 0:42:12- My original plan was to tell you there was squirrels in your drain. Would you have gone for that?- No.
0:42:12 > 0:42:17I'd recommend they use someone they know or was recommended to them,
0:42:17 > 0:42:19not somebody they don't know.
0:42:19 > 0:42:24And get a quote before they do the job is the best answer.
0:42:24 > 0:42:30Peter was such a good sport and it was great to see him put our rogue on the back foot.
0:42:30 > 0:42:32Roger's only playing rogue for us
0:42:32 > 0:42:38and you can rely on the vast majority of tradesmen being honest and hardworking.
0:42:38 > 0:42:42The crucial thing to remember is if in doubt, keep them out.
0:42:42 > 0:42:44I'll see you next time.
0:42:44 > 0:42:50If you'd like to help us to reveal how easy it is to fall for the cons of rogue tradesmen
0:42:50 > 0:42:55by sending our trickster to visit your friends or family,
0:42:55 > 0:42:58you'll find all the details at:
0:43:12 > 0:43:16Subtitles by Subtext for Red Bee Media Ltd - 2011
0:43:16 > 0:43:19Email subtitling@bbc.co.uk