Just a heads up about a potential scam around Reading
Content:
Had a nice old man come by claiming to be doing work for my neighbor. He offered to clean my gutters for £40, and I agreed. However, a different man arrived shortly after and told me I had a massive leak in my gutters, with water dripping down and the timber rotting away. He offered to seal everything for £320 with a 3-year guarantee. As a first-time homeowner of 3 months, I was hesitant and said I needed to speak to my partner.
When I asked for their name card, they gave me a dodgy paper with a generic company name that didn’t exist. While I went inside to call my partner, they claimed they had already done the work by the time I came back out, which was not true. I later found out that my neighbor was working on their gutters independently, and I mistakenly trusted the scammers.
My lodger tried to intervene, but things escalated, and I ended up paying to avoid further conflict. After researching and speaking to others, it became clear that this was a common scam by traveling gypsies. My front porch is now a mess, and I doubt they even cleaned my gutters in the first place.
TLDR:
Don’t fall victim to scams like I did. Be cautious of individuals offering services door-to-door, especially if they pressure you and provide false information. These scams seem to be prevalent in the area, so stay vigilant.
Beware of Gutter Cleaning Scams in Reading
Recently, there have been reports of a scam involving individuals approaching homeowners in the Reading area offering gutter cleaning services. One such scam involved a man claiming to be doing work for a neighbor and offering to clean the gutters for £40. Subsequently, another individual arrived and claimed there was a massive leak in the gutters, insisting on sealing them for £320 with a three-year guarantee.
The scammers provided a dodgy paper with a generic company name that does not exist and proceeded to start work without consent. Despite attempts to verify the situation, the scammers insisted on payment to avoid escalation. It was later discovered that this was a typical scam perpetrated by traveling gypsies.
If such individuals approach you, be cautious and do not trust them without proper verification. Always ask for identification, check for company credentials, and do not succumb to pressure tactics. It is advisable to research the company online and seek recommendations from others before agreeing to any work.
In case you encounter a similar situation, refrain from making any payments until you are certain about the legitimacy of the service providers. Report any suspicious activities to the relevant authorities to prevent others from falling victim to such scams.
Remember, it is always better to be cautious and thorough in your dealings to avoid being exploited by unscrupulous individuals. Stay informed and stay safe!