A pensioner who claimed she was overcharged by builders has given up hope of reclaiming the cash after complaints to police and the council were fruitless.
New Zealander Elaine Blick, who lives in Aboyne Drive, Raynes Park, said two men - Adam and Richard Yates from Branch Walker’s Tree and Garden Service - gave her a leaflet with an office number and an address in Jasmine Terrace, Uxbridge.
Mrs Blick said she was charged nearly £4,000 for tree pruning, roof retiling and paving stone installation in her back garden but said the workmen did not finish the job and she was charged twice for some work.
When she complained she received a cheque refund for £1,000, but when she tried to cash it her bank told her the account had recently been closed.
Rogue traders didn't even pay for their machinery
After the cheque bounced, NatWest bank advised Mrs Blick to send Mr Yates an invoice at the registered address for the closed account.
It was returned weeks later with a handwritten note on the envelope which said “not here since January”.
Jean Roberts, Mrs Blick’s neighbour, said the rogue builders did not even pay for the machinery they used at Mrs Blick's house.
She said: “They left all their tools here and we ended up calling up the hire plant in Twickenham to ask when they were picking up their machinery.
"The poor girl on the phone said she thought they had gone missing.”
We contacted the hire plant, M&S Hire Power, who confirmed Adam Yates had taken a tree stump grinder which they assumed had been stolen after it was not returned for several weeks.
Merton Police unable to prosecute; Merton Council gave builders an "advisory letter"
Mrs Blick called Merton Police, who said they did not have enough evidence to prosecute.
Merton Council trading standards officers spoke to Adam Yates, the company’s owner, and his brother Richard outside the property.
The men told council officers a “printing error” meant the incorrect address had been published on the leaflet, at which point officers issued them with an advisory letter about trading standards laws.
She said: “I feel awful and so embarrassed, but I wanted to warn others who may be sucked into giving cash for work that has not been done or has been overcharged.
When the Wimbledon Guardian tried to call the number listed on the leaflet several times, no one picked up, while there is no such Jasmine Terrace in Uxbridge in the borough of Hillingdon.
The men later told the council they had set up a limited company, Branch Walker’s Tree Care.
On the Companies House website, the phone number given was the same as that on the leaflet.
Mrs Blick has still not been refunded.
She said: “I gave up because I cannot bear the cost of going to court to chase this down. I suppose a lot of people end up in that sort of position.
If residents think they may have been the victim of fraud, they should call police on 101.
Has something similar happened to you? Leave a comment below, call 020 8722 6335 or email: ooakes@london.newsquest.co.uk.
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