Reading

Just a heads up about ?scam around Reading

1 Comment on Just a heads up about ?scam around Reading

Just a Word of Caution Regarding a Scam in Reading

Had an encounter with what seemed like a nice old man claiming he was doing work for my neighbor. He offered to clean my gutters for £40, and I agreed. However, another man approached me and claimed there was a massive leak, offering to seal everything for £320 with a 3-year guarantee.

I hesitated and went to call my partner. Upon requesting a business card, I received a shady paper with a generic company name that didn’t exist. When I returned after ten minutes, they claimed the work was already done. It turned out they were likely part of a scam by travelling gypsies.

Despite my lodger’s attempt to intervene and dispute the unauthorized work, I ended up paying to avoid further conflict. Now, my front porch is in disarray, and I suspect they never even cleaned my gutters. Lesson learned – be cautious and don’t fall for similar scams. Keep an eye out for these individuals driving around.

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1 Comment

  1. Warning: Gutter Cleaning Scam in Reading

    Be wary of a potential scam involving gutter cleaning in the Reading area. One individual shared their experience of being approached by a man offering to clean their gutters for £40, only to be later pressured into paying £320 for unnecessary repairs.

    What Happened

    • An elderly man claimed to be doing work for a neighbor and offered gutter cleaning for £40.
    • Another man arrived and insisted there was a significant leak, pressuring the homeowner into paying £320 for sealing and repairs.
    • The homeowner requested time to consult with their partner, but upon returning, the work was already completed.
    • The scammers provided a dubious company name and rushed the homeowner into payment to avoid confrontation.

    Red Flags

    • Lack of official documentation or company identification.
    • High-pressure tactics and false sense of urgency.
    • Poor quality of work and questionable legitimacy.

    Tips to Avoid Scams

    1. Do Your Research: Verify the legitimacy of the company or individuals offering services.
    2. Get Multiple Quotes: Compare prices and services before agreeing to any work.
    3. Trust Your Instincts: If something feels off or too good to be true, proceed with caution.

    What to Do If Scammed

    • Contact police and report the incident.
    • Document all interactions and take photos of any damage.
    • Warn others in the community to be vigilant.

    Don’t fall victim to similar scams and stay alert to protect yourself and your property. Hopefully, by sharing this experience, others can avoid being taken advantage of by deceitful individuals.

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