Rogue Window Cleaner...

[Smowball]

I pop in and see an elderly man once a week just to check on him. He is 90 and lives about half hour away from me. Ages ago when I was there a window cleaning firm knocked on door and asked if he needed a window cleaner. They seemed two very nice men. My friend did indeed, and they said they could do it there and then. This was on a Thursday. I left before they finished. Next time I went he said oh they’ve changed it to a Monday in future (when I’m not there)
I happened to be talking to him last week and asked when did they last come as the conservatory roof was filthy and he said Monday. Which Monday? Every Monday he says. Sorry?? They have been coming EVERY week, charging him £25 for a bungalow - that’s £100 a month!!
I found his DIL number and sent her a message and said please call me. She didn’t. I messaged her again and she finally replied and said oh I’ll have a word but don’t think she’s bothered. I know it’s not really my place to get involved but he is being seriously ripped off!!
I know he isn’t confused and that he is telling the truth.
.

[dannyk13]

If his family are not interested, I don't think that there is a lot you can do about it.It does sound like a rip-off,would the local police be able to look into it.

[woofgang]

well you can talk to the police but I doubt there's much they could do....You might try local trading standards or whatever they are called now?

[Smowball]

Can’t believe how they can do that to a 90 yr old! I’ve told him he’s being ripped off and to tell them not to come every week but....

[jennyjoan]

You want to see the spectacles a certain company sold to my Alzheimers friend.

Picture this - ordinary glasses with the regular frame and stuck onto them - separate lens like the bottom of milk bottles - actually stuck onto the glasses making them look awful and very heavy.

[murraymints]

be there on a Monday identify the culprits and report them to police... insist he hands over no more dosh and find another window cleaner

[Smowball]

I can’t be there today as have appointments but am going to ring him in a min and see if they’ve turned up again, and then go there next week.

[hereIam]

I wish I could come and give you a hand Smo, I hate people ripping off the elderly and how awful that his family don't seem to care !

[rowanwitch]

Local Uauthority will have a vulnerable adults safe guarding team. Let them know and they can investigate and refer on to the p olice.

[waterboatman]

Yes, I agree with rowan. The council should deal with it. I don't think the police will do much. I could be wrong of course!

[woofgang]

I can't see what the police can do.....No law has been broken.....they have offered to do work for a price and the customer has said yes. If they are producing a poor standard of work or not doing the work they agreed to, then that's trading standards at the council.

[elliemay1]

Smowball, please keep us updated on what happens next week. Hate to see older people being ripped off like that.

[alavahalf]

Dont know if anyone recalls it, but about 8 years ago an elderly chap who lived on his own in Bognor Regis had nearly £100k taken from him by a couple of pikeys who 'worked' on his house for about a year. Every time they did a job they took the guy down to the bank where he withdrew a few thousand and then paid them in cash.
In actual fact they had done nothing and it was only when his son turned up and asked him for some money that it came to light that all his savings were gone.
It was on the local news at the time. The two in question were caught and did get a couple of years each.
I'm afraid this sort of thing happens everyday and you ' the public'.. never get to know about it.
Most of my working day at that time was spent improving security in vulnerable peoples properties. It was fairly normal to attend 2 distraction burglaries a day, not to mention countless snatched handbags.
The Police wont be interested and what do you think the Council have to do with it. Trading Standards do not check the quality of work a window cleaner gives.
If the elderly man lets them in there is little you can do.

[mallyh]

has he got neighbours who could tell them not to call again

[elliemay1]

Any progress, Smowball?