Warning To Watch Out For Bogus Builders

Elderly resident in Bedford Park taken in by scam

Police in Southfield ward have issued a warning about bogus builders. The warning was made on the new Owl Neighbourhood Watch service which was recently introduced for Ealing, Hillingdon and Hounslow, which covers Chiswick.

Local officers were first alert to a potential scam when they were called to a local bank as a vulnerable elderly resident of Bedford Park was trying to withdraw a large amount of cash, to apparently pay a builder.

A man by the name of Peter Woods had claimed that roofing work was being done on a neighbour's property and that this required some heavy machinery that would be parked in her front garde and , that she would have to pay £2,000 for this machinery. When question he became irate and stated he would call the police.

Later someone named PC Miller called the victim stating that she would have to pay this money. It later transpired that this call didn't come from the police. This was typical of the bullying tactics used to frighten and confuse vulnerable people in scams such as this one.

If anyone has seen the builders, can describe them, has photographic imagery of them or details of any vehicles being used by them - please contact 101 and quote Crime Reference 2514434/18. Call 999 immediately if you see these individuals in action.

If you have vulnerable neighbours, you are asked pay a visit and make them aware of scams such as this one. Local officer are happy to attend, just give your ward team a call and they can give a copy of their "Big Book of Scams".

You can also read more about scams on the police Action Fraud site.

June 30, 2018