I’M WORRIED MY SISTER’S FALLEN PREY TO A THIEF
Dear Coleen
MY SISTER is a widow in her 80s and lives 200 miles away from me. Over the past year, she’s had a man in his 40s doing her gardening for her and she told me recently he also does odd jobs around her home.
He told my sister he wouldn’t be able to come round any more because his van needed a new gearbox and the cost would be £2000. My sister told me she gave him the money for the gearbox.
He finds jobs around her house that he tells her need to be done.
I’ve warned my sister that he sounds like a con artist but she won’t hear a bad word about him.
Coleen says
I AGREE, it sounds worrying and it certainly isn’t up to your sister to pay for his van to be repaired – if that’s what he actually used the money for, of course.
If you know anyone else in the area – a neighbour, relative or friend – you could ask them to investigate and even be there the next time this handyman is over and speak to him directly.
Or you could ask your sister for his phone number and call him.
I think he needs to know that other people are aware of him and are keeping a close eye on the situation. If he is conning elderly people, he’ll move on quickly if he feels he’s under suspicion, and of course there’s always the option of putting a call in to the police.
You can also visit ageuk.org.uk for advice on scams.
A trip to see your sister might give you peace of mind. And talking to her in person might help her to understand your concerns.
You could also search online for gardeners and handymen local to your sister. Visit checkatrade.com for recommended tradespeople.
Your sister has probably come