Coalisland rogue traders fined for scamming vulnerable pensioner for thousands

by Gráinne Connolly

Two Coalisland traders have been fined £2,000 at Dungannon Magistrates' Court, after admitting they scammed a vulnerable pensioner.

In a pair brought by the Department for the Economy's Trading Standards Service, both were charged on "engaging in an aggressive commercial practice under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008." 

They were each fined £1,000 and compensation orders of £2,350, in respect of each trader was ordered to be paid to the victim's estate.

In 2016 a 75 year old man, described as being "highly vulnerable", was cold called by a gang of doorstep traders at his home in Greenisland, Newtownabbey.

They offered to carry out maintenance work to his home and showed him brochures containing before and after photographs, supposedly of work carried out during previous jobs. 

They initially agreed to clean the roof, repoint the chimney, ridge tiles and to seal the roof at a total cost of £1,500.

However, cash payment was demanded upfront and the pensioner drove to the bank to get the money and handed it over.

On the next visit, the victim was persuaded to have his side and rear garden walls power washed at a cost of £700. Demanding payment, they coerced him to drive to the bank for cash again while they followed in their van.

In a further visit, another £4,700 was demanded for the work already agreed to be carried out, which the pensioner felt obliged to pay for.

Officials say although little of the work had been completed, he felt intimidated by the situation and even in the safety of the bank, he was fearful and felt unable to do anything knowing they were outside.

He handed over the £2,500 cash in an adjacent car park and was left with only £100 in his account.

A neighbour became aware of the situation and intervened when the traders returned seeking to tarmac the pensioner’s driveway at a cost of £2,450.

In the end up, none of the overpriced work regarding the repointing of the ridge tiles, chimney or sealing of the roof was carried out.

The value of work actually completed was only a few hundred pounds.

Alison Gilchrist of the Trading Standards Service said, “This was a despicable crime. These rogue traders scammed this pensioner out of his savings.

"Sadly, he passed away in early 2018 never seeing these traders brought before the court. Unfortunately, our older citizens, many of whom are unable to handle this type of situation, are being targeted in such a manner.

“Consumers should be careful and take their time when deciding to get work done to their home.

"Seldom is maintenance or roof repair that urgent. Recommendation from friends and neighbours is a better way of finding a reputable trader rather than employing someone who cold calls to your home.

“Consumers should be wary of responding to flyers, no matter how professional they look. Once they have your money, rogue traders will not come back again should you complain.”