South Ayrshire Council is issuing a warning to householders in the local area, as they suspect a rogue building and roofing gang is operating in the area.
The warning comes after one consumer was intimidated into paying over £5,000 in cash for the repair of just a few loose slates on her roof.
The elderly Ayr consumer, who lives alone, says she was ‘cold-called’ by the gang’s front-man who claimed to be working on another house on the same street. He advised her that her roof had ‘a few slates loose,’ but they could fix it that same day.
No price was agreed, but after a few hours work, the trader demanded £2500 in cash to ‘pay his boys’. The consumer felt she had no option but to pay, but when she was later informed that further roof sealing work was required - she refused.
She alleges the roofers then returned when she was not home and carried out further repairs and maintenance - this time demanding another £2,700.
The workmen allegedly surrounded her in an intimidating manner, and she felt there was no option but to return to the bank to again pay in cash.
The case is now being investigated, but the council is warning people, especially the elderly or vulnerable, to be on the look-out for the rogue outfit.
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