Myalup business owner scammed $15,000 by travelling conmen ‘bitumen bandits’

South West home and business owners have been warned to be wary of ‘bitumen bandits’ that have resurfaced in the region after one local business lost $15,000 to the scam. Consumer Protection said the travelling conmen went door to door offering to resurface driveways on the spot, but the work was usually sub-standard with poor quality material used. Resurfacing attempts by conmen in the past have left driveways too thin to support the weight of a car. Myalup business Lake Preston Lime fell victim to the scam when owner Blair Howe paid the six men $15,000 for a new driveway last week, but he said the men were yet to return to complete the work. Mr Howe told the Times that the men, two of whom had Scottish accents, visited his business last Wednesday and told him they were part of the group that had been completing widening work on Forrest Highway and said they had leftover cheap bitumen. “They came and put the first coat on and I paid and they were supposed to come back the next day to finish the job, and I’ve never seen them again,” Mr Howe said. “They did nicely out of that and disappeared and none of them answer their phones anymore.” Mr Howe said it was disappointing, but a lesson to learn and warned other business owners to be on alert. An Australind businesses was also targetted by the bandits, but the owner refused to pay $20,000 for what he considered to be unsatisfactory work. Consumer Protection commissioner Gary Newcombe said he feared they could target home owners, if they have not already, and move their operations into other regional areas. Mr Newcombe said the conmen should be avoided as they were likely to take people’s money and run. “They are not legitimate traders whose aim is to do a good job, they just want to get their hands on your money and then disappear,” he said. “Their work is usually sub-standard and their prices are hugely inflated. “Consumers should resist their high pressure sales tactics and ignore their claims of offering a good deal. Those looking to get bitumen work done should instead get multiple quotes from reputable tradespeople, especially considering it is normally expensive work. “These terrible tradies also break door to door, or unsolicited, trading laws which give consumers the right to a ten business day cooling off period if they are approached uninvited. “It is illegal to take money or carry out any work during this time. “Once gone, it’s almost impossible to track them down after the home owner realises the work does not meet minimum standards.” Report travelling conmen to Consumer Protection on 1300 30 40 54.