YEOVIL NEWS: Bank staff help police snare bogus traders

EAGLE-EYED staff at the Lloyd's bank branch in Yeovil have helped police to arrest five people who are believed to have coerced and deceived a pensioner out of £13,000.

The five men targeted the Yeovil home of the 63-year-old victim over the last two weeks when they persuaded him to pay them £6,000 in cash to replace his driveway.

They went on to coerce the victim into agreeing to have his patio redone, and completed a bank transfer for an additional £7,000 prior to any work being completed.

The men then asked the victim to withdraw a further £13,500 in cash to pay for them to clean moss off his roof. However, bank staff at Lloyd’s in Yeovil became suspicious of the large withdrawals on the victim’s account within a short time-frame and alerted the police.

The men were arrested by officers from the Yeovil Investigation Team at 7.30am today (Friday, July 17, 2015) when they arrived at the victim’s home to collect the cash.

The five, who are believed to be from the Dorset area, were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation and are currently in custody at Yeovil pending a joint  investigation by police and Trading Standards.

Chief Inspector Jeff Foreman, who is in charge of the policing within the area, said: “We suspect these men specifically targeted the victim believing him to vulnerable.

“We will always take the most robust action available to us against those we believe are targeting the most vulnerable in our communities. I would like to thank and commend the bank staff for alerting us to this issue and for their duty-of-care to their customer.

“We advise people not to agree to having work done by anyone who cold-calls without an appointment at your home. If you need work done, we suggest you contact someone who has been personally recommended to you or through your local business directory.

“We also advise that you obtain three quotes in writing from different companies. You also have the right to cancel any contract you have signed in your home within 14 days if the cost of the work is over £42.00.

“The trader MUST give you a copy of your cancellation rights in writing. It’s a criminal offence if they don’t.  If in doubt, don’t sign anything and if you are uncomfortable or suspicious, please report it. Get in touch!”

If you have experienced anything similar or have any information about this or another suspected crime then police would be keen to hear from you.

Please call police on 101 and ask for the Yeovil Investigation Team. Alternatively you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800-555111.

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