Mosman woman, 74, dodges fake tradie roofing scam
Fake roofers tried to con a Mosman woman out of $30,000 by claiming her roof needed repairs. Find out how she dodged being scammed.
A gang of fake Irish builders tried to con a Mosman woman out of her savings to carry out roof repairs.
The 74-year-old was going to church earlier this month when she was approached by the gang who pretended they knew her.
She gave them her address and three days later she got a knock on her front door.
When she went outside one man was already up on her roof claiming she had loose tiles. The gang said the job was going to cost $80,000 but they would do it for $30,000.
The price kept falling and when she refused to go to the bank to take out $1000 they suggested she take out a bank loan.
“My antennas were up by then,” she said.
The men had come into her house as they were going to give her a written quote and when she realised what was happening she told them she gets two or three quotes if she’s having major works done.
All of a sudden one of the gang members said they weren’t going to do the job and rushed out.
“I’m at the front door still in my nightie. I said, ‘Just give me a card’. I was playing him along at this stage and he said, ‘No we’ll get back to you’,” she said.
“They did con me and they did come into my house. What annoys me is it’s so unlike me. I’m almost embarrassed to think that I fell for it.
“That’s what annoys me. My neighbours think I’m savvy and quick witted.”
The woman, who doesn’t wish for her name to be published, said the men were very charming and convincing. They talked at her constantly and were very chatty.
She believes the three men were driving a white van and said one man was tall and slim while the other two were average height and solid build.
They had light coloured hair and had Irish accents.
Police have received similar reports in the past week in the north shore area.
Two seniors were targeted in Lane Cove and a 90-year-old woman was targeted in Chatswood.
The seniors did not fall for the scam but the woman in Chatswood was left with $500 worth of damages to her roof.
Last year two Mosman residents were fooled by a similar scam.
An 86-year-old in Wolger Rd handed over $25,000 for fake roof repairs.
Another Belmont Rd resident paid out $10,200 and found the roof had a hole in it and parts of the wall were missing.
Senior Constable Jenni Brown from North Shore Police urged people to be aware of the scam.
“Sometimes it gets to the point where they don’t have any more money left and that’s how it ends,” Senior Constable Brown said.
“Be very sceptical. If someone approaches you in your front yard claiming your roof needs to be repaired get a second opinion from a legitimate roof repairer.
“A common tactic with scammers is to create a sense of urgency. Don’t feel pressured to make a decision and always take time to get a second quote before handing money over.”
Police believe several gangs could be operating as it is a well known scam.
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