Authorities warn the bitumen bandits are back: do not accept work from unsolicited tradies

A Pooraka business was fleeced out of $12,000 by unsolicited concrete tradespeople as police warn the fake tradies are back.

Colin and his team work hard to make sure they get the job right the first time

Authorities are warning people of the return of dodgy tradies known as the “bitumen bandits”, after a recent concrete scam in Adelaide’s north.

In the latest report, The Consumer Business Services was notified by a Pooraka business who was charged $12,000 for concreting work, when the agreed price was $3000.

Commissioner for Consumer Affairs Dini Soulio warned people not to accept unsolicited offers from people claiming to be tradespeople.

“These people aren’t licensed, and they take advantage of people, often failing to provide written quotes and then charging more than originally agreed,” Mr Soulio said.

The “Bitumen Bandits” have made a name for themselves across the state, prompting multiple warnings from the CBS following various scams from the dodgy tradespeople who often target vulnerable people.

In February last year, there were numerous reports of people going door to door, offering to work on a residents driveway for a cheap fee, claiming to have left over bitumen from road works.

This happened in Ferryden Park, Unley, Mount Compass and Windsor Gardens.

In the year prior, similar reports were made in the South East, the Riverland and the Adelaide Hills, as one customer reporting being fleeced $15,000.