0:00:00 > 0:00:03These days, our money has to work even harder for us
0:00:03 > 0:00:07and one of our biggest expenditures is on our property.
0:00:07 > 0:00:12Last year, we spent a staggering £15 billion on repairs to our homes.
0:00:12 > 0:00:16But how can any of us be certain we've not been taken for a ride?
0:00:16 > 0:00:20- How much will it cost?- It's hard to say, but I reckon 325.
0:00:20 > 0:00:24- 300 quid just for doing that. - Probably about seven and a half grand.
0:00:25 > 0:00:27With audacious secret filming,
0:00:27 > 0:00:32we'll reveal just how easy it could be for you to be duped.
0:00:32 > 0:00:37- I'm afraid you've been ripped off. He's not a bona fide tradesman. - He's not?
0:00:37 > 0:00:39I knew there was something suspicious.
0:00:39 > 0:00:40BLEEP BLEEP
0:00:41 > 0:00:46And we lift the lid on some of the UK's most shocking tradesmen rip-offs.
0:00:46 > 0:00:49It was one of the worst conservatories I'd ever seen.
0:00:49 > 0:00:51It needed pulling down.
0:00:51 > 0:00:53It was basically a death trap.
0:00:53 > 0:00:55There's no other word for it - conned.
0:00:55 > 0:00:57On today's show:
0:00:57 > 0:01:03A social worker from Berkshire drives a hard bargain over a special mould treatment.
0:01:03 > 0:01:05But is she smart enough to avoid a rip-off?
0:01:05 > 0:01:08- 250.- How about two?
0:01:08 > 0:01:10Go for 225?
0:01:10 > 0:01:11A bit less than that.
0:01:11 > 0:01:17The extraordinary tactics of the Bristol traders who lay in wait for people to go out for the day
0:01:17 > 0:01:19before ripping up their driveways.
0:01:19 > 0:01:22It was impossible to put a car on the drive.
0:01:22 > 0:01:24It was impossible to open the garage door.
0:01:24 > 0:01:31And prepare for a truly devious scam when a woman from Lancashire falls for every trick in the book.
0:01:31 > 0:01:33Do you want us to fit you a doorbell?
0:01:33 > 0:01:36Whoa - not good.
0:01:36 > 0:01:39Stand by for Dirty Tricks of the Tradesmen!
0:01:45 > 0:01:47Hello. I don't know about you,
0:01:47 > 0:01:51but I don't know a huge amount about trades like roofing or plumbing.
0:01:51 > 0:01:53That's why we rely on tradesmen.
0:01:53 > 0:01:56We expect them to be professional and to do a good job.
0:01:56 > 0:01:59The vast majority of them are exactly that,
0:01:59 > 0:02:01professional and hard-working.
0:02:01 > 0:02:04It's only a small minority who give tradesmen a bad name
0:02:04 > 0:02:07with their dirty tricks.
0:02:07 > 0:02:11Today, we're meeting people who've been ripped off by the cowboys.
0:02:11 > 0:02:12What's more, with your help,
0:02:12 > 0:02:18we'll show you how easy it is to fall for some of the oldest tricks in the tradesmen's books.
0:02:18 > 0:02:23People have been setting up their friends and relatives for a visit from our very own tradesman. Why?
0:02:23 > 0:02:27To show you how to avoid being taken to the cleaner's.
0:02:28 > 0:02:34This is Roger Bisby. He has over 40 years' experience under his builder's belt.
0:02:37 > 0:02:41There's nothing he hates more than a dirty trickster
0:02:41 > 0:02:43out there to make a fast buck.
0:02:44 > 0:02:48But we're asking Roger to go against everything he believes in
0:02:48 > 0:02:51and become a dodgy tradesman,
0:02:51 > 0:02:54just so we can show you how not to get conned.
0:02:55 > 0:03:00We'll create minor household problems and send in Roger to show us all
0:03:00 > 0:03:03how easy it is to be ripped off.
0:03:03 > 0:03:07It's all being filmed in secret and Roger will be working with our cameraman Luke
0:03:07 > 0:03:09who is posing as his apprentice.
0:03:09 > 0:03:13We'll find out in a moment where they're springing their first scam.
0:03:15 > 0:03:20We all recognise the importance of keeping our homes safe, secure and well-maintained.
0:03:20 > 0:03:25The last thing anyone needs is a rogue making them feel unsafe in their own home.
0:03:25 > 0:03:28But sadly rogue tradesmen play tricks like this all the time
0:03:28 > 0:03:31and Roger's about to try his luck using scare tactics
0:03:31 > 0:03:33on a family in Lancashire.
0:03:34 > 0:03:39Alex Gornall and Adam Livermore have a surprise in store for Adam's wife, Joy,
0:03:39 > 0:03:41who Alex has known since they were three.
0:03:41 > 0:03:46Joy is such good fun. She's just a really nice person.
0:03:46 > 0:03:51I think she'll be taken in by it. She's a bit gullible.
0:03:51 > 0:03:54They're cooking up a scenario involving the boiler.
0:03:54 > 0:03:57Adam is telling Joy it's making weird noises.
0:03:57 > 0:03:59We've got our own engineer
0:03:59 > 0:04:05so we'll say that the engineer can't make it and he's sending a friend round who can do just as good a job.
0:04:05 > 0:04:07How very devious!
0:04:07 > 0:04:09This is the perfect scenario for Roger.
0:04:09 > 0:04:15A noisy boiler suggests carbon monoxide, and that's no joke.
0:04:15 > 0:04:19If I can persuade the householder that there's carbon monoxide there,
0:04:19 > 0:04:22I'm hoping she'll spend any kind of money to get rid of it.
0:04:22 > 0:04:29One of Roger's tricks will be to overcharge for a fancy carbon monoxide detector.
0:04:29 > 0:04:31You can also expect him
0:04:31 > 0:04:36to flannel Joy about her house having potentially dangerous carbon monoxide levels.
0:04:36 > 0:04:39Then he'll pretend the boiler flue is blocked.
0:04:39 > 0:04:42Fake blockage tricks are employed by thousands of rogues.
0:04:42 > 0:04:45This is Roger's carbon con.
0:04:45 > 0:04:51In reality, a routine call-out charge for a boiler service costs around £100.
0:04:51 > 0:04:55If he can make another £200 on top,
0:04:55 > 0:04:57that's a 200% profit for Roger.
0:04:57 > 0:05:00He turns up with Luke promptly at ten o'clock.
0:05:04 > 0:05:06Where's the bell?
0:05:06 > 0:05:08- Hello.- Hi.
0:05:08 > 0:05:10Do you want us to fit your a doorbell - our first job!
0:05:10 > 0:05:15Joy's been told by her husband Adam that Roger is a friend of their regular engineer.
0:05:15 > 0:05:19A boiler maintenance man ought to be Gas Safe registered.
0:05:19 > 0:05:23But she's not asked to see evidence of this. Roger could be anyone.
0:05:23 > 0:05:28- Boiler.- Boiler's here. Something blew, something popped. I don't know.
0:05:28 > 0:05:34- OK. Is this running now or not? - I've turned it off.
0:05:34 > 0:05:37- Because it was a bit... - OK. That's a good idea.
0:05:37 > 0:05:40Recce done, his tricks are ready to roll.
0:05:40 > 0:05:44- Do you want a cup of tea? - Yeah, that would be great.- Yeah.
0:05:44 > 0:05:47I've never known him refuse a cup of tea!
0:05:53 > 0:05:58I'm going to get a detector out and try and simulate some carbon monoxide.
0:05:58 > 0:06:00Then we'll go from there.
0:06:01 > 0:06:04This is my little detector. DETECTOR BEEPS
0:06:06 > 0:06:08It's going to normalise now.
0:06:08 > 0:06:10- It gets a general reading. - It did it. OK.
0:06:10 > 0:06:12Now it knows what fresh air is.
0:06:12 > 0:06:15But Roger doesn't want his detector to behave normally.
0:06:15 > 0:06:19He's rigging it by directing a jet of gas into the sensor.
0:06:19 > 0:06:24This will cause the unit to go off even when there isn't a dangerous level of carbon monoxide.
0:06:25 > 0:06:30Black. Sorry, black no sugar, yeah. Cheers.
0:06:30 > 0:06:33You were nearly caught red-handed there, Roger! Lucky for you,
0:06:33 > 0:06:36Joy can't see what you're up to.
0:06:36 > 0:06:38I'll just give it a quick test, that's all.
0:06:38 > 0:06:40Give it a little test.
0:06:40 > 0:06:43DETECTOR TICKS LOUDLY Listen to that.
0:06:43 > 0:06:44Whoa!
0:06:44 > 0:06:47What a rotter!
0:06:47 > 0:06:51This is Roger's cue to start hitting Joy with a right load of old gas.
0:06:51 > 0:06:53- Do you get any trouble with this hob?- No.
0:06:53 > 0:06:55What's going on, Rog?
0:06:55 > 0:07:00I wasn't even looking at that. I just suddenly clicked up a... There's more up here.
0:07:00 > 0:07:02DETECTOR WHIRRS
0:07:02 > 0:07:05This might be producing a bit of carbon monoxide.
0:07:05 > 0:07:07A little leak somewhere up there.
0:07:07 > 0:07:12That ticking noise is the sound of his rigged gas detector going into overdrive.
0:07:12 > 0:07:15Roger's using it a means to pile pressure on Joy,
0:07:15 > 0:07:17a common scare tactic.
0:07:17 > 0:07:23I went to a house once and looked under the floor. The carbon monoxide was leaking under the floor.
0:07:23 > 0:07:27Quite honestly, it's probably not a huge problem if I nip it in the bud.
0:07:29 > 0:07:34Roger's implication of carbon monoxide danger in Joy's house may seem cavalier.
0:07:34 > 0:07:37But it's just the kind of trick that a cowboy would play.
0:07:37 > 0:07:41Isn't it time to try and sell Joy an alarm now?
0:07:41 > 0:07:46I could shove a little detector in for you anyway somewhere. Up there's a good idea.
0:07:46 > 0:07:48I'll just go and check the flue. If you want to...
0:07:50 > 0:07:52..carry on, I'll have a quick look out there.
0:07:52 > 0:07:56Come on, Joy! Ask him how much it'll cost!
0:07:58 > 0:08:00She's fully committed to the cause.
0:08:00 > 0:08:05She appreciates that what I'm saying is entirely true and genuine.
0:08:05 > 0:08:07Nobody wants carbon monoxide poisoning.
0:08:09 > 0:08:13And the good thing is, she hasn't asked for any indication of money at all.
0:08:13 > 0:08:16So it's leaving us a little bit of scope.
0:08:16 > 0:08:22There's no end to your tricks, is there, Roger? There are more coming thick and fast.
0:08:22 > 0:08:27What we've found is evidence of spiders nesting in the flue here.
0:08:27 > 0:08:30How will Joy react to news that she's been conned?
0:08:30 > 0:08:33It's hard-earned money, at the end of the day.
0:08:37 > 0:08:39Roger's working hard to show us
0:08:39 > 0:08:43how devious rogues will stop at nothing to push consumers for business.
0:08:43 > 0:08:46Tactics that can be seen clearly in our next story.
0:08:46 > 0:08:50The con artists here lay in wait for homeowners to go out
0:08:50 > 0:08:52before vandalising their driveways,
0:08:52 > 0:08:54trapping them into accepting unwanted work.
0:08:54 > 0:08:58We were there to see the culprit get his comeuppance.
0:09:01 > 0:09:03Gloucester Crown Court, June 2011.
0:09:03 > 0:09:06It's D-Day for one local tradesman, Jim Coffey.
0:09:06 > 0:09:08Disguising himself from local press,
0:09:08 > 0:09:13he's turning up to hear the verdict against his company, Interlock Drives,
0:09:13 > 0:09:18after a campaign for justice headed by local Trading Standards officer Neil Derrick.
0:09:18 > 0:09:21We've been aware of Interlock's tactics
0:09:21 > 0:09:26which are used against certain vulnerable members of society
0:09:26 > 0:09:28for approximately three years.
0:09:28 > 0:09:35The tactics seem to centre around using a combination of aggressive practices with customers,
0:09:35 > 0:09:38effectively forcing them into having work done by them.
0:09:38 > 0:09:42Tricksters like those working for Jim Coffey are a unique breed.
0:09:42 > 0:09:47Interlock Drives is not to be confused with other reputable companies of a similar name.
0:09:47 > 0:09:51This gang carried out their dirty tricks solely in the Bristol area
0:09:51 > 0:09:54and specialised in driveways.
0:09:54 > 0:09:57We caught up with two of Jim Coffey's victims, Ruth and Brian.
0:09:57 > 0:09:59They asked us not to use their real names
0:09:59 > 0:10:04but were happy to tell their stories to stop others suffering the same fate.
0:10:04 > 0:10:08They were doing things that I hadn't given permission for.
0:10:08 > 0:10:12We were horrified to see they'd already started. The drive was in a complete mess.
0:10:12 > 0:10:17Both Ruth and Brian were targeted through cold calling
0:10:17 > 0:10:20and given the hard sell for driveway improvements.
0:10:20 > 0:10:26The first trick came when the salesman lulled them into thinking they'd get a great low-priced deal
0:10:26 > 0:10:28before finding ways to inflate the costs.
0:10:30 > 0:10:35He talked me into having my front drive jet-washed.
0:10:35 > 0:10:39He said it would cost me £150.
0:10:39 > 0:10:44And thinking it would save me work, I agreed to have it done.
0:10:44 > 0:10:48Meanwhile, Brian agreed to have his whole driveway replaced
0:10:48 > 0:10:53in order to make things easier for himself and his wife who suffers from mobility issues.
0:10:53 > 0:10:59The salesman offered a tarmac drive at the bargain price of £1,500.
0:11:00 > 0:11:04We were happy with the quote because there was no money up-front.
0:11:04 > 0:11:06We were given paperwork with a Bristol address
0:11:06 > 0:11:08and a Bristol phone number.
0:11:08 > 0:11:11So we were happy to go ahead with the job.
0:11:11 > 0:11:16Ruth lives on her own. The salesman from Interlock Drives seized upon that.
0:11:16 > 0:11:19He invented a problem in order to charge more money.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22He tipped water into the trough beneath her garage door
0:11:22 > 0:11:25and claimed that it wasn't draining away.
0:11:25 > 0:11:26Unbelievable!
0:11:26 > 0:11:31He said then that I needed to have a drain put in the front drive
0:11:31 > 0:11:35to drain all the surplus water away.
0:11:35 > 0:11:39He made me feel that I needed to have this done.
0:11:39 > 0:11:42I asked how much it would cost
0:11:42 > 0:11:45and he said 1,500.
0:11:47 > 0:11:50That's a ten-fold increase in revenue
0:11:50 > 0:11:51all because of a lie.
0:11:51 > 0:11:54In Brian's case, the devious tradesmen lay in wait
0:11:54 > 0:11:57for the retired couple to go shopping.
0:11:57 > 0:12:00With the coast clear, they started work on the driveway
0:12:00 > 0:12:02three days early.
0:12:02 > 0:12:05'When we came back, we were horrified to see they'd already started.
0:12:05 > 0:12:08'The drive was in a complete mess.
0:12:08 > 0:12:11'The top half of the drive, down to the wall there,
0:12:11 > 0:12:15'was dug up and there was a big pile of rubble.
0:12:15 > 0:12:18'And also the bottom part was dug up'
0:12:18 > 0:12:23and then a big pile of stones so it was impossible to put a car on the drive
0:12:23 > 0:12:26and it was impossible to open the garage door.
0:12:26 > 0:12:29In a way, it coerced them into going ahead.
0:12:29 > 0:12:30What option do you have?
0:12:30 > 0:12:36"I have a driveway I can't use, so I might as well go ahead with the people who created the problem."
0:12:36 > 0:12:39Coffey needed more money from Brian and his wife
0:12:39 > 0:12:42so he kept up a display of consumer concern
0:12:42 > 0:12:46by claiming that his door-to-door salesman had gone rogue
0:12:46 > 0:12:47and would be dismissed.
0:12:47 > 0:12:50But putting the mess right would come at a price.
0:12:50 > 0:12:53We felt really...stressed.
0:12:53 > 0:12:55Upset.
0:12:55 > 0:12:57Annoyed.
0:12:57 > 0:13:00We didn't really know what to think at the time.
0:13:00 > 0:13:04But because we were trapped, we couldn't use the drive at all,
0:13:04 > 0:13:06we felt we had no option
0:13:06 > 0:13:09but to agree to his price of 2,400
0:13:09 > 0:13:12and allow him to put a block drive in.
0:13:12 > 0:13:15With Coffey hiking up the price by almost £1,000,
0:13:15 > 0:13:20Brian and his wife were frightened at the prospect of being so out of control in their own home.
0:13:20 > 0:13:23This was exactly the scenario facing Ruth
0:13:23 > 0:13:28as Interlock's conmen continued to lie to her about jobs that needed doing.
0:13:28 > 0:13:36The next thing that they spoke to me about was the algae on the outside walls of the house.
0:13:36 > 0:13:39Again, I asked how much it was going to cost.
0:13:39 > 0:13:45He said he would work it out and let me know the next day.
0:13:45 > 0:13:48I went out to see how their work was getting on
0:13:48 > 0:13:51and I was so shocked and horrified
0:13:51 > 0:13:56that they'd already dug out a trench along the side of the house.
0:13:56 > 0:14:00I was getting very concerned and frightened by then.
0:14:02 > 0:14:06Two households in Bristol with the owners made to feel like prisoners in their own homes.
0:14:06 > 0:14:09But maybe Coffey had been too ambitious.
0:14:09 > 0:14:12Both householders had serious alarm bells ringing.
0:14:12 > 0:14:15And they now had the good sense to call for help.
0:14:16 > 0:14:18We realised we'd been conned.
0:14:18 > 0:14:21We didn't really know what we could do about it.
0:14:21 > 0:14:22We felt completely trapped.
0:14:22 > 0:14:25So I contacted Trading Standards.
0:14:25 > 0:14:31And within about half an hour, a representative came
0:14:31 > 0:14:35and I was very much relieved
0:14:35 > 0:14:37because I had his support
0:14:37 > 0:14:44and he asked the company to stop what work they were doing
0:14:44 > 0:14:46and to leave the property.
0:14:46 > 0:14:51And that I was not to pay them any money
0:14:51 > 0:14:53that they said I owed them.
0:14:53 > 0:14:58Brian's call to Avon and Somerset Police was also given decisive action.
0:14:58 > 0:15:00I spoke to the police.
0:15:00 > 0:15:06They said the work had been started within the seven-day cooling-off period.
0:15:06 > 0:15:10The following day, when the men turned up, the police also turned up
0:15:10 > 0:15:12and arrested everybody
0:15:12 > 0:15:14and impounded all the vehicles.
0:15:15 > 0:15:17Coffey's sales leaflets
0:15:17 > 0:15:19had stated no down payments, no deposits,
0:15:19 > 0:15:22nothing to pay until the job is completed.
0:15:22 > 0:15:26But it backfired on him with Brian and Ruth because both twigged the scams
0:15:26 > 0:15:28before paying Coffey.
0:15:28 > 0:15:31Although they lost £4,000 between them clearing up all the damage.
0:15:31 > 0:15:35Hopefully no-one else will fall for these kinds of tricks in the future.
0:15:35 > 0:15:39Which brings us neatly back to the rogue tradesman
0:15:39 > 0:15:41and his court appearance in June 2011.
0:15:41 > 0:15:45Were the victims' wishes fulfilled of seeing justice done?
0:15:46 > 0:15:50Mr Coffey's just been sentenced to three years and four months in prison.
0:15:50 > 0:15:54A substantial sentence. It's been a long time coming.
0:15:54 > 0:15:56We've taken about two years to get here.
0:15:56 > 0:16:02And we're very relieved for the victims that this matter has been closed now.
0:16:03 > 0:16:07As the people of Gloucester enjoy a well-earned "Coffey" break,
0:16:07 > 0:16:12Brian and Ruth have learned a great lesson from their tangle with Interlock Drives.
0:16:12 > 0:16:15Never take door-to-door salesmen at face value.
0:16:15 > 0:16:19When the salesman came and showed me the brochure,
0:16:19 > 0:16:24it looked very professional, the previous work that they'd done
0:16:24 > 0:16:26on other properties.
0:16:26 > 0:16:31And at that stage, I thought that everything was above board.
0:16:31 > 0:16:35This is why it's so important that when a trader knocks on your door,
0:16:35 > 0:16:37you don't agree to anything in haste
0:16:37 > 0:16:41and you check the company out thoroughly before agreeing to any work.
0:16:48 > 0:16:52Later, we have another extraordinary case study as a consumer from Gloucester
0:16:52 > 0:16:57finds a dodgy carpenter behaving in the most reckless way.
0:16:57 > 0:17:02He had a piece of wood over his right knee and he was sawing into it over the bed cover.
0:17:02 > 0:17:05At that time, I called the police.
0:17:05 > 0:17:08Plus, in our quest to show you how not to be ripped off,
0:17:08 > 0:17:13Roger has some devious tricks up his sleeve for an on-the-ball consumer in Berkshire.
0:17:15 > 0:17:19That's hot work. That's worth 225 quid of anybody's money!
0:17:22 > 0:17:26First, time to find out whether businesswoman Joy from Lancashire
0:17:26 > 0:17:28falls for our cowboy's dirty tricks.
0:17:28 > 0:17:31Roger is trying to make her think she has a gas leak.
0:17:32 > 0:17:34Might be producing a bit of carbon monoxide.
0:17:34 > 0:17:37Joy is so keen to protect her home from harm
0:17:37 > 0:17:41she's taken Roger at face value. She hasn't asked how much it'll cost
0:17:41 > 0:17:46which leaves her wide open when he finally presents her with the bill.
0:17:48 > 0:17:51He's getting ready to play his second dirty trick,
0:17:51 > 0:17:53faking a blockage in the gas flue.
0:17:53 > 0:17:56Which could be the cause of a leak he's lying about!
0:17:57 > 0:17:59Hmm. Look.
0:18:00 > 0:18:02I love a bit of that.
0:18:02 > 0:18:06Right. Now we've got to find a bit of spiders' nest material.
0:18:06 > 0:18:09Yes, you heard. Roger's going to claim that this flue
0:18:09 > 0:18:13which isn't blocked at all is choked with a nest of spiders!
0:18:13 > 0:18:17Actually, it's just some weeds he's picked up.
0:18:17 > 0:18:21What we've found is evidence of spiders nesting in the flue here.
0:18:22 > 0:18:24They just drag it in.
0:18:24 > 0:18:28Spiders, wasps and ants have all been know to build nests in flues before now.
0:18:28 > 0:18:33But businesswoman Joy looks incredulous. Perhaps she won't accept Roger's cheat.
0:18:33 > 0:18:38They build nests. It's a nice place to keep warm!
0:18:38 > 0:18:40Hmm. If she's doubtful, she's saying nothing.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43Let's hope that doesn't cost her dearly.
0:18:47 > 0:18:51I'm going to switch the boiler back on and retest the carbon monoxide levels
0:18:51 > 0:18:53to check everything's OK.
0:18:53 > 0:18:56As reassurance, I'm going to leave her a carbon monoxide detector
0:18:56 > 0:18:58at the bargain price of 50 quid.
0:18:58 > 0:19:01It cost me £12.50.
0:19:03 > 0:19:06A-ha. So trick number three is all ready to be sprung.
0:19:06 > 0:19:10Let's see how Joy reacts to the old overpriced gadget trick.
0:19:10 > 0:19:14- This is a carbon monoxide detector. - Right.
0:19:14 > 0:19:16If I put one of these up near the boiler,
0:19:16 > 0:19:20it's only cos that one was blocked and that was causing the problem,
0:19:20 > 0:19:23but in future if you get any problem,
0:19:23 > 0:19:25this will go off.
0:19:25 > 0:19:28- That's there. Wonderful. - You're all done.
0:19:28 > 0:19:32- Do you want a bill or do you want to pay cash?- Pay cash.
0:19:32 > 0:19:33OK.
0:19:33 > 0:19:36I've totted it up for cash.
0:19:36 > 0:19:38We'll do it for 400, all right?
0:19:38 > 0:19:40Oh, that's got to hurt!
0:19:40 > 0:19:45- 400?- I've broken it down if you want to know what it's all about.
0:19:45 > 0:19:47Call out charge... Radiator...
0:19:47 > 0:19:53Today, Joy Livermore let an unknown plumber into her home without checking his ID
0:19:53 > 0:19:55or asking for a quote.
0:19:55 > 0:19:59All he's done is bring in a £12.50 carbon monoxide alarm
0:19:59 > 0:20:02and pretend to clear a blockage which wasn't there.
0:20:02 > 0:20:06It looks like she's fallen for it, hook, line and sinker.
0:20:07 > 0:20:12- Boiler and hob testing. - That's it.- OK.
0:20:12 > 0:20:16- Brilliant. Thank you.- 40, 60, 80,
0:20:16 > 0:20:17one.
0:20:17 > 0:20:1920, 40, 60, 80, two.
0:20:19 > 0:20:2320, 40, 60, 80, three.
0:20:23 > 0:20:29- 20, 40, 60, 80, four. - Lovely. Cheers. Yeah.
0:20:29 > 0:20:31Thank you very much.
0:20:31 > 0:20:37Joy's handed over £400 in cash for work that should have cost around £200.
0:20:40 > 0:20:44Joy didn't get any other quotes. She never asked how much the job would cost.
0:20:44 > 0:20:47In fact, she didn't ask any questions at all,
0:20:47 > 0:20:50leaving herself wide open to be totally ripped off.
0:20:50 > 0:20:54With Roger now out of sight, it's time for our producer
0:20:54 > 0:20:57to call on Joy and reveal the truth of their dirty tricks.
0:20:58 > 0:21:01Hi, there. Sorry to bother you.
0:21:01 > 0:21:03We're from the BBC.
0:21:03 > 0:21:07- We're investigating builders, tradesmen...- Right.
0:21:07 > 0:21:10..who don't do very good jobs, basically.
0:21:10 > 0:21:15We've been asking your neighbours if they've had any experiences. Have you had any?
0:21:15 > 0:21:19That don't do a good job? I've just had a plumber round just now.
0:21:19 > 0:21:22Basically, my boiler blew yesterday.
0:21:22 > 0:21:28He fixed it. It was cobwebs in my flute. It was blocked.
0:21:28 > 0:21:32I'm not au fait on my DIY things.
0:21:32 > 0:21:36It wasn't cheap. That's what came to mind. It was £400.
0:21:36 > 0:21:39I'm afraid to tell you that you could have paid £400
0:21:39 > 0:21:41for not very much work at all.
0:21:41 > 0:21:45No, I think... Right. Yeah. OK.
0:21:45 > 0:21:47It's hard-earned money at the end of the day.
0:21:47 > 0:21:50But you put your trust, don't you, in people.
0:21:52 > 0:21:55Oh, Adam! It's my husband, actually.
0:21:55 > 0:21:59Adam and best friend Alex can't wait to let Joy off the hook.
0:22:02 > 0:22:04I'm afraid you've been set up.
0:22:04 > 0:22:06You are awful! 'He was convincing'
0:22:06 > 0:22:09when he talked about carbon monoxide.
0:22:09 > 0:22:10I was totally gullible.
0:22:10 > 0:22:13What I'm going to do for you here, look...
0:22:13 > 0:22:17Cos this hurt me more than anything.
0:22:17 > 0:22:19'I didn't see it coming.'
0:22:19 > 0:22:24It was only when I got the bill, that's when I started to think.
0:22:24 > 0:22:28Something just unsettled me there.
0:22:28 > 0:22:31I thought I'd have to question that when my husband got home.
0:22:31 > 0:22:33- Who are these guys?- BBC 1.
0:22:34 > 0:22:37And I look like this?!
0:22:38 > 0:22:44In future, I'll make sure that I get a proper receipt and their proper details.
0:22:44 > 0:22:46Contact details.
0:22:46 > 0:22:53And just be a bit more aware of the jobs they're doing, really.
0:22:53 > 0:22:55A bit more knowledge myself.
0:22:56 > 0:23:00Joy was such a good sport, there, but she could have done so much more.
0:23:00 > 0:23:03And we could all learn something from that.
0:23:03 > 0:23:08As well as asking for ID, always ask plenty of questions.
0:23:08 > 0:23:11And never let a tradesman tackle any job
0:23:11 > 0:23:14without getting a written quotation.
0:23:14 > 0:23:17If anything does go wrong, don't be afraid to call for help.
0:23:17 > 0:23:20Your local Trading Standards will offer advice.
0:23:24 > 0:23:28Rogue tradesmen often take minor household issues
0:23:28 > 0:23:30and turn them into massive con tricks.
0:23:30 > 0:23:34Just such an issue is mould. The NHS advises that spores from mould
0:23:34 > 0:23:37can cause allergic reactions in some people.
0:23:37 > 0:23:43The best way to stop that is to keep your home dry and well-ventilated to prevent condensation.
0:23:43 > 0:23:46Roger's off to meet a sensible, strong-willed consumer
0:23:46 > 0:23:48to see whether she'll be taken in.
0:23:50 > 0:23:54Social worker Stephanie Gums from Berkshire has three daughters
0:23:54 > 0:23:57and 20-year-old Carly is setting her up today.
0:23:57 > 0:24:02She's a person who believes she knows everything about everything.
0:24:02 > 0:24:06She's never wrong, according to her. She's always right.
0:24:06 > 0:24:10Stephanie sounds like she could be more than a match for Roger.
0:24:10 > 0:24:14There is a mould problem in her bathroom. What tricks does he have up his sleeve?
0:24:14 > 0:24:19I'm going to try and persuade the householder that what she's got is toxic mould.
0:24:19 > 0:24:24And it's a danger to her and her household and needs to be treated immediately.
0:24:24 > 0:24:27I've got my partner in crime, Luke. What's this, Luke?
0:24:27 > 0:24:31This is a theatrical smoke machine, used for TV dramas and film.
0:24:31 > 0:24:33- Like you get in a disco?- Exactly.
0:24:33 > 0:24:37Actually it'll do nothing at all. We'll fill the place with smoke
0:24:37 > 0:24:40and she'll think it's killing off the fungus
0:24:40 > 0:24:45and then we can charge her as much as possible for as little as possible!
0:24:45 > 0:24:49Cunning. And they put a fake toxic sticker on the side.
0:24:49 > 0:24:52That'll help their trick seem more convincing.
0:24:52 > 0:24:55The first, to carry out some bogus tests
0:24:55 > 0:25:00and use scare tactics to make out that her mould is far worse than it really is.
0:25:00 > 0:25:03A health risk that needs special attention.
0:25:03 > 0:25:08Then Roger will unveil his fumigator and pretend it'll dispose of the mould.
0:25:08 > 0:25:13He'll wear protective clothing, even though the smoke won't actually do anything.
0:25:14 > 0:25:17Stephanie's mouldy ceiling would be reparable
0:25:17 > 0:25:22with a good scrub and a coat of paint. With goods and labour, that's around £80.
0:25:22 > 0:25:28But Roger's hoping to smoke £300 out of her for this utterly pointless job.
0:25:28 > 0:25:31A massive price hike, the rotter!
0:25:31 > 0:25:34When Roger and Luke arrive, just after three o'clock,
0:25:34 > 0:25:37they're shown straight to the fungus-ridden bathroom.
0:25:37 > 0:25:40No-one's asked them for ID yet. They've waltzed right in.
0:25:40 > 0:25:46The last contractor told me it was because I haven't got a window in here.
0:25:46 > 0:25:51- There's loads of bathrooms built without windows now.- Exactly. - Very common.
0:25:51 > 0:25:54I think Roger's now ready to play a dirty trick.
0:25:54 > 0:25:58This mould, if we don't get rid of this mould now, it's a real health hazard.
0:25:58 > 0:26:00They talk about a toxic mould everywhere.
0:26:00 > 0:26:04It's in the papers. It's a growing problem.
0:26:04 > 0:26:07Basically, it's bad for your health.
0:26:07 > 0:26:11- I don't know if you suffer from asthma, or the kids do. - The children do.
0:26:11 > 0:26:15Do they? They get asthma? Well, that's probably... You know.
0:26:15 > 0:26:19I'll carry out a test and see what the toxic levels on it are.
0:26:23 > 0:26:26Roger's using scare tactics about toxic mould.
0:26:26 > 0:26:29He starts his con trick by pretending to test the toxicity
0:26:29 > 0:26:31with one of his many gadgets.
0:26:31 > 0:26:35What's it really need, Rog? How's it looking?
0:26:35 > 0:26:38- What does it need?- Yeah.
0:26:38 > 0:26:40- For truth?- Yeah.
0:26:40 > 0:26:42It needs a good scrub with some bleach!
0:26:43 > 0:26:46- Let's go back out to the van.- OK.
0:26:46 > 0:26:50So what you're saying is that Stephanie could do this herself for nothing?
0:26:51 > 0:26:55It could do with a proper bit of insulation, a proper cleaning off.
0:26:55 > 0:26:57They need to improve the ventilation.
0:26:57 > 0:26:59It's an unhealthy situation to be in.
0:26:59 > 0:27:02Because I'm a cowboy, I'm not going to do any of that.
0:27:02 > 0:27:07I'm just going to puff a bit of smoke in there, tell them that's cured the problem
0:27:07 > 0:27:09and that it will kill the mould
0:27:09 > 0:27:11and then I'll take 300 quid, if I can,
0:27:11 > 0:27:13and we'll get out of there.
0:27:13 > 0:27:16You mean when you run off with her hard-earned cash!
0:27:16 > 0:27:18She won't see you for dust, Roger.
0:27:18 > 0:27:23I just took a little test on that mould. It's pretty horrible stuff.
0:27:23 > 0:27:27- What I'll do is clean it off for you.- It's been cleaned off before.
0:27:27 > 0:27:29I cleaned it before with a solution.
0:27:29 > 0:27:33I can't remember what it was. An anti-mould solution.
0:27:33 > 0:27:36- You use it with water. - Yes, just pat it on.
0:27:36 > 0:27:39Nobody's put a smoke thing in there, have they?
0:27:39 > 0:27:41- Like a fumigation thing.- No.
0:27:41 > 0:27:42Well, if I do that for you,
0:27:42 > 0:27:45it will kill all that mould off completely.
0:27:45 > 0:27:48You little liar, Roger!
0:27:48 > 0:27:53That fumigation machine has as much chance of dissipating the mould
0:27:53 > 0:27:55as Roger would by blowing on it! Even so,
0:27:55 > 0:27:59he wants to walk away with £300 of Stephanie's hard-earned cash.
0:27:59 > 0:28:03Will she be as sharp as daughter Carly thinks?
0:28:03 > 0:28:06I suspect she might. You may have met your match, Roger.
0:28:06 > 0:28:09It's pretty horrible stuff.
0:28:09 > 0:28:13- I'll have to put a mask on to do it. - What organisation are you from?
0:28:13 > 0:28:16You haven't given me a card or told me where you're from.
0:28:16 > 0:28:21We're just mould... Pest and mould contractors.
0:28:21 > 0:28:25- Do you have a card?- Yeah. I'll go and get it.- Please, yeah.- Sure.
0:28:25 > 0:28:30Good for you, Stephanie. At last a consumer who's demanded to see our tradesman's credentials.
0:28:30 > 0:28:33Which leaves him slightly on the back foot!
0:28:33 > 0:28:37Will he now be rumbled by the "no nonsense" Stephanie?
0:28:37 > 0:28:41I've just found out. I've just had a look in the diary.
0:28:41 > 0:28:46I got it, um...from the electrician.
0:28:46 > 0:28:51- I think it's cos the council... - An electrician?- It's a referral.
0:28:51 > 0:28:52My son-in-law has one.
0:28:52 > 0:28:58Um... I think the reason was that the council contractors didn't solve the problem for you.
0:28:58 > 0:29:02Lucky escape, Roger. She's fallen for your fake card and referral patter!
0:29:02 > 0:29:05But I don't think you're in the clear just yet.
0:29:05 > 0:29:11What we'll have to do with this is give it the smoke treatment, fumigation treatment.
0:29:11 > 0:29:15- Yeah.- But we guarantee that we can get rid of it.
0:29:15 > 0:29:18What's your hourly rate? There must be an hourly rate.
0:29:18 > 0:29:24Well, there's a call-out. Then we've got the cost of the equipment
0:29:24 > 0:29:26which is quite a lot.
0:29:26 > 0:29:29Quite a lot? Look at our scammer squirm!
0:29:29 > 0:29:34Stephanie's asking all the right questions and Roger seems totally unprepared.
0:29:34 > 0:29:38Then our hourly rate. We're £50 an hour each.
0:29:39 > 0:29:43- This young man is your apprentice, so he can't be £50 an hour!- No.
0:29:43 > 0:29:46I don't think I've ever seen Roger in such a spot!
0:29:46 > 0:29:48I'm loving this!
0:29:50 > 0:29:52Things will get more heated for our con man.
0:29:52 > 0:29:56Haggle time. It's got to be a bit less than that, I'm afraid.
0:29:56 > 0:30:00And how will Stephanie react when we tell her what's really gone on?
0:30:00 > 0:30:04I saw his card, asked for his ID and you say he's not legit?
0:30:08 > 0:30:10I love it when the public fight back!
0:30:10 > 0:30:12Next, we meet a man from Gloucestershire
0:30:12 > 0:30:15who's just as determined as Stephanie
0:30:15 > 0:30:16not to be taken for a ride.
0:30:16 > 0:30:19He came up against a really devious bunch of crooks.
0:30:19 > 0:30:21But fortunately, crime doesn't pay!
0:30:22 > 0:30:26This south Gloucestershire industrial estate
0:30:26 > 0:30:29housed one of the most devious criminal gangs I've heard of.
0:30:29 > 0:30:34The local police have just finished their investigation into three cowboys.
0:30:34 > 0:30:37Mark Dixon, Nicholas Harris and Matthew Higgins.
0:30:37 > 0:30:43They operated here for five years and targeted more than 50 householders
0:30:43 > 0:30:47as Investigating Officer DCI Sellwood explains.
0:30:47 > 0:30:48It wasn't dodgy builders
0:30:48 > 0:30:50or not very good builders,
0:30:50 > 0:30:53who just didn't do what they set out to do.
0:30:53 > 0:30:56They set out to defraud the customers from the very outset.
0:30:56 > 0:31:00Acting under the company name of C.M.D Management,
0:31:00 > 0:31:05Dixon, Harris and Higgins pocketed almost one million pounds
0:31:05 > 0:31:06yes, one million pounds,
0:31:06 > 0:31:09before David Sellwood's team caught up with them.
0:31:09 > 0:31:14They ran a sophisticated business tailor-made to ensnare even the most cautious consumer.
0:31:14 > 0:31:18A couple of the people that they used searched planning applications.
0:31:18 > 0:31:23So when they found that members of the public had secured planning permission
0:31:23 > 0:31:25for an extension or a new-build,
0:31:25 > 0:31:27they would cold call the customer
0:31:27 > 0:31:32and make them an offer to undertake their work for them
0:31:32 > 0:31:34at a very competitive price.
0:31:37 > 0:31:42This is how they were able to start playing dirty tricks on 63-year-old Mike Stanley.
0:31:42 > 0:31:47In 2005, he secured planning permission to create a new bedroom
0:31:47 > 0:31:50by adding a one-storey extension above his kitchen.
0:31:50 > 0:31:52When C.M.D's researchers found out,
0:31:52 > 0:31:55he was targeted by their salesmen.
0:31:55 > 0:31:58They had all the references, the photographs,
0:31:58 > 0:32:00the back-up, telephone numbers, et cetera.
0:32:00 > 0:32:06I did phone the numbers given to me from the office and they did sound like a reputable company.
0:32:06 > 0:32:09People answered with the name of the company.
0:32:09 > 0:32:12Mike was wise to check, but he couldn't have known
0:32:12 > 0:32:14that this was all a front
0:32:14 > 0:32:19and that he was about to sign up to a company which would turn his whole life upside-down.
0:32:19 > 0:32:22The quote I received from them was just under £15,000.
0:32:22 > 0:32:28When I decided to go with them, I paid £2,200 deposit.
0:32:29 > 0:32:34They came in October 2006
0:32:34 > 0:32:38to actually physically do some work to start the building.
0:32:38 > 0:32:41Customers would pay up-front for work that was going to be done.
0:32:41 > 0:32:46They'd phone up on a regular basis and say they had difficulties with cash flow or suppliers.
0:32:46 > 0:32:49Would they pay a bit more, pay a bit more.
0:32:49 > 0:32:54People were persuaded to do so in the hope that they would get their work completed.
0:32:54 > 0:32:59These tried and tested tricks are often used by disreputable builders
0:32:59 > 0:33:02but Mike had no idea he was being strung along.
0:33:02 > 0:33:05The work dragged on for the best part of nine months
0:33:05 > 0:33:07but all they'd built was the facade.
0:33:07 > 0:33:11None of the internal workings had been installed.
0:33:11 > 0:33:14They started demanding more and more money from me
0:33:14 > 0:33:16which I was refusing to pay up.
0:33:16 > 0:33:22By then, they started to threaten me with the contract that I'd signed
0:33:22 > 0:33:26by saying that stage payments were correct and they wanted money up-front
0:33:26 > 0:33:29at any stage they demanded it.
0:33:29 > 0:33:33I said they weren't getting any money out of me till I saw proper progress.
0:33:33 > 0:33:35Good on Mike for standing up for his rights,
0:33:35 > 0:33:39particularly with a bunch of tradesmen trampling around his home.
0:33:39 > 0:33:42A bunch of cowboys who were taking him for a ride.
0:33:42 > 0:33:47There was a supposed carpenter at work on the bed. There were no dust sheets around.
0:33:47 > 0:33:51He was sat on the quilt, he had a cigarette in his mouth.
0:33:51 > 0:33:57He had a piece of wood over his knee and he was sawing into it over the bed cover.
0:33:57 > 0:34:01I looked at him, swore at him and told him to get out of my house.
0:34:01 > 0:34:06At that time I called the building authorities and the police.
0:34:06 > 0:34:11He turfed out the rogue tradesmen but lost £11,000.
0:34:11 > 0:34:15He had to find another £11,000 to put their work right.
0:34:15 > 0:34:20But incredibly the rogues still had an extraordinary and devious trick to play.
0:34:20 > 0:34:24I had letters and leaflets dropped through the letterbox
0:34:24 > 0:34:28saying that these people had heard
0:34:28 > 0:34:32that the builders who were originally here had been arrested
0:34:32 > 0:34:33and work had been stopped.
0:34:33 > 0:34:36And that these people had also been affected by that company
0:34:36 > 0:34:39and were offering their services to me.
0:34:39 > 0:34:42I got on to the police again on this one to back it up
0:34:42 > 0:34:46and it turned out that they were the same group of people
0:34:46 > 0:34:49trying to come in through what you'd call the back door!
0:34:49 > 0:34:53The cheek of it! It took the police investigation into C.M.D Management
0:34:53 > 0:34:57and the court case against Dixon, Harris and Higgins
0:34:57 > 0:35:00to bring some light back into Mike's life.
0:35:00 > 0:35:05The three people who were convicted had got eight, seven and six years individually.
0:35:07 > 0:35:09I was really elated.
0:35:09 > 0:35:12After an investigation lasting three years
0:35:12 > 0:35:14and discovering more than 50 victims,
0:35:14 > 0:35:18it was also a success story for DCI Sellwood and his team.
0:35:18 > 0:35:22The police aren't supposed to say they're happy with what the judge has done,
0:35:22 > 0:35:26but I can say the victims were delighted with the sentences.
0:35:26 > 0:35:30Mike and other victims may receive some of their money back
0:35:30 > 0:35:32in a "proceeds of crime" hearing.
0:35:32 > 0:35:35It's clear that taking care with our private data is paramount.
0:35:35 > 0:35:37Always read the small print.
0:35:38 > 0:35:40I read and read and double read
0:35:40 > 0:35:42because I've been scammed once
0:35:42 > 0:35:46and I've been conned and hurt. It's upset my life
0:35:46 > 0:35:49and I'll do my best not to let it happen again.
0:35:50 > 0:35:55An extraordinary story. As well as triple-checking any leaflets, quotes and paperwork
0:35:55 > 0:35:57given to you by tradesmen,
0:35:57 > 0:36:02don't forget you will be able to check with your local Trading Standards for advice.
0:36:02 > 0:36:07Now, what about Stephanie in Berkshire? Will she fall for our tradesman's dirty tricks?
0:36:08 > 0:36:11Her bathroom ceiling was mouldy, but not dangerous.
0:36:11 > 0:36:14After a bogus test, Roger's now stringing her along
0:36:14 > 0:36:17that he can dispose of her mould with a special fumigator.
0:36:17 > 0:36:22But Stephanie's no push-over. She's demanded to know who he is.
0:36:22 > 0:36:28What organisation are you from? You haven't given me a card or told me where you're from.
0:36:28 > 0:36:31She's rubbished the fee he wants to charge for Luke's time.
0:36:31 > 0:36:35- This young man is your apprentice, so he can't be £50 an hour!- No.
0:36:35 > 0:36:39And she's not happy about the full price he wants to charge.
0:36:39 > 0:36:40£300.
0:36:40 > 0:36:44- Haggle time. It's got to be less than that, I'm afraid.- OK.
0:36:44 > 0:36:48Supposing I knock 50 off? 250.
0:36:48 > 0:36:49How about two?
0:36:49 > 0:36:52How about two and I'll say go upstairs now.
0:36:52 > 0:36:56- I'll give you a biscuit. - 225? Want to go for 225?
0:36:56 > 0:37:00- 225.- 225. You're a very good businesswoman.
0:37:00 > 0:37:06At last, Roger has a bogus job, even if it is for £75 less than he wanted.
0:37:07 > 0:37:10She's gone for it. She's beat me down a bit.
0:37:10 > 0:37:13So she thinks she's getting a bargain, which is a good thing.
0:37:13 > 0:37:18But still far too much money for a job which is totally useless.
0:37:18 > 0:37:23But we'll go and have a go now and we want to be in and out.
0:37:23 > 0:37:27This ghostbuster-like outfit is certainly impressive
0:37:27 > 0:37:33but completely unnecessary. The smoke wouldn't hurt a fly, never mind a robust chap like Roger.
0:37:33 > 0:37:35But it's all part of his dirty trick.
0:37:37 > 0:37:41Before turning on the smoke, Roger wiped the ceiling with bleach.
0:37:41 > 0:37:43If Stephanie wants to inspect his work later,
0:37:43 > 0:37:46and something tells me she might,
0:37:46 > 0:37:48then this deception will help.
0:37:48 > 0:37:52But she could have done this and saved herself a lot of hassle!
0:37:52 > 0:37:54Let's get on that smoke machine, mate.
0:37:54 > 0:37:58Finally time for the smoke machine to puff into action.
0:37:58 > 0:38:01Wa-hey! Now it's away!
0:38:08 > 0:38:11And time for Roger to take a well-earned rest!
0:38:11 > 0:38:13Brought a book, Rog?
0:38:15 > 0:38:19If there's anything left over, it's dead.
0:38:24 > 0:38:30That's hot work! That's worth 225 quid of anybody's money!
0:38:30 > 0:38:34I've put a load of theatrical smoke around the bathroom and it looks pretty dramatic.
0:38:34 > 0:38:39I told her not to go in the room, which is great. She has to leave it at least two hours
0:38:39 > 0:38:43and then put the extractor fan on for an hour, then she can go in.
0:38:43 > 0:38:48That way, we'll be over the hill and far away by the time she starts to smell a rat!
0:38:48 > 0:38:50OK.
0:38:50 > 0:38:52Mould fumigation.
0:38:52 > 0:38:55Rog sets about writing an invoice
0:38:55 > 0:38:57but Stephanie clearly does smell a rat!
0:38:57 > 0:39:00She wants to check she's not being taken for a ride.
0:39:00 > 0:39:05She even calls her daughter to reassure herself that Roger is bona fide.
0:39:05 > 0:39:09- How's the work going?- I haven't seen it. They're doing the invoice.
0:39:09 > 0:39:12Go and have a look if you want to.
0:39:12 > 0:39:16- I will have a look.- Have a quick look but don't stay in there too long.
0:39:16 > 0:39:18Cos if you die, I don't want to...
0:39:18 > 0:39:20I'm going to have a quick look.
0:39:20 > 0:39:25Uh-oh, Roger. Could this be the end of the line for your smoking tricks?
0:39:25 > 0:39:27Go with her, Luke.
0:39:28 > 0:39:33Today Stephanie Gumms waited in for a tradesman to look at her mouldy ceiling.
0:39:33 > 0:39:37The slippery scammer misled her about the toxic quality of the mould
0:39:37 > 0:39:39and advised her to fumigate it.
0:39:39 > 0:39:43She wisely asked for ID and haggled over the price
0:39:43 > 0:39:45but finally consented to the work.
0:39:45 > 0:39:48So, will the hard-to-please Stephanie be impressed enough
0:39:48 > 0:39:50to return with the money?
0:39:50 > 0:39:55I'll put the total in, 225, all right?
0:39:55 > 0:39:59And then I'll recommend the insulation, all right?
0:39:59 > 0:40:00I'll photocopy it.
0:40:00 > 0:40:05Astounding! £225 for wiping the ceiling,
0:40:05 > 0:40:08a job Stephanie could have done for less than a fiver!
0:40:08 > 0:40:10Not bad for an hour's work!
0:40:10 > 0:40:12- Cheers.- See you.- Bye.- Bye.
0:40:14 > 0:40:15Take care.
0:40:15 > 0:40:19Better hurry, Rog. I think Stephanie might smell a rat!
0:40:22 > 0:40:26With Roger out of sight, our producer must let Stephanie know
0:40:26 > 0:40:29the true story of his work on her bathroom.
0:40:29 > 0:40:32Hello. We're from the BBC. I've got a few questions.
0:40:32 > 0:40:36- Have you had any work done lately? - This morning, in fact.
0:40:36 > 0:40:38- Did you?- Yeah. - What stuff did you have done?
0:40:38 > 0:40:43The bathroom walls. Clearing mould from the bathroom ceilings.
0:40:43 > 0:40:48- Do you know something that I don't know?- Did you pay in cash? - Yes, I did.
0:40:48 > 0:40:51- And it was over 200?- 225 I paid.
0:40:51 > 0:40:57I have to tell you we're following a gentleman who's not a bona fide tradesman.
0:40:57 > 0:41:00- Was his name Roger? - Yes, that's right.
0:41:00 > 0:41:05I saw his card and asked for his ID. So you say he's not legit?
0:41:05 > 0:41:10I'm afraid to tell you you could have paid over £200 for absolutely no work whatsoever.
0:41:11 > 0:41:16What's the point in you following him if you spot him go to people's houses,
0:41:16 > 0:41:19defraud people and you come round after to film?
0:41:19 > 0:41:22- We'll try to help you get your money back.- That sounds better.
0:41:22 > 0:41:25- How do you feel? - I feel quite gutted.
0:41:25 > 0:41:27I went to the bathroom when they were still here
0:41:27 > 0:41:30and his apprentice followed me...
0:41:30 > 0:41:32This is the man here!
0:41:32 > 0:41:35Don't worry, Stephanie. Roger and your daughter Carly
0:41:35 > 0:41:37are heading back with your cash!
0:41:37 > 0:41:40You've been the victim of a set-up.
0:41:40 > 0:41:41Oh, my God!
0:41:41 > 0:41:45I feel quite a fool, really, because I'm very vigilant.
0:41:45 > 0:41:48He was convincing, but I was a bit cautious, a bit dubious,
0:41:48 > 0:41:51and that's why I asked for his credentials.
0:41:51 > 0:41:56Because he produced them... If he hadn't, I wouldn't have gone for this.
0:41:56 > 0:41:59- She's still embarrassed.- You shouldn't be. You did very well.
0:41:59 > 0:42:04- You checked my ID.- It's not worth what it's written on! - I know. It's rubbish!
0:42:04 > 0:42:08Even though I thought it wasn't a good idea, I still fell for it.
0:42:08 > 0:42:11You were good to check it and you did get a bit of discount!
0:42:11 > 0:42:12£75 discount.
0:42:12 > 0:42:15That is your money back, plus the tenner you gave me!
0:42:15 > 0:42:17For a drink, I said!
0:42:18 > 0:42:20There you go.
0:42:20 > 0:42:22In future, that wouldn't happen to me in future.
0:42:22 > 0:42:25They won't be getting past my door.
0:42:25 > 0:42:29But he was very friendly. I probably fell for that, too.
0:42:29 > 0:42:32He was very friendly and he sold himself, really.
0:42:32 > 0:42:36He knew all the facts of what he was talking about.
0:42:40 > 0:42:42Thanks for taking it so well, Stephanie.
0:42:42 > 0:42:46Roger's played the rogue for us today. He's normally honest and hard-working
0:42:46 > 0:42:49like the vast majority of tradesmen who you can rely on.
0:42:49 > 0:42:52It's only a small minority who let the side down.
0:42:52 > 0:42:56Just remember, if in doubt, keep them out!
0:42:56 > 0:42:58Thanks for watching. See you next time.
0:43:18 > 0:43:20Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd