Alert over conmen posing as builders

HOUSEHOLDERS in Solihull are being warned to be on their guard against a group of conmen operating in the town pretending to be builders.

They stole £3,500 from an elderly woman when they offered to do work on her patio.

They dug up the patio – but then vanished after she had paid them £3,500.

Now Solihull Trading Standards has issued an alert, warning residents not to fall prey to the scam.

The 86-year-old woman was tricked when a group of men put leaflets through the doors of residents in the Hillfields area.

A spokeswoman for Solihull Council said: “She contacted them and asked them to do some work on her patio.

“They turned up, dug up the patio and then told her they could only continue if she gave them the payment in full. The lady was driven to the bank by the men and withdrew £3,500 in cash to give to them.

“Once they had the money they left the property and have not returned, leaving the lady with a dug-up patio.”

The spokeswoman said its Trading Standards team always advised residents not to agree to any work, or pay any money before getting several quotes from other established businesses first.

Solihull Trading Standards works in partnership with the organisation, No Rogue Traders Here, which runs a list of vetted professionals. They can be contacted on 0800 233 5000.