PAYOUT HOPE ON BUILDERS

Lawyers prove case was fraud and get £6k back via scheme

- BY PHIL CARDY

HOMEOWNERS ripped off by cowboy builders can claim their cash back from their bank under new scam rules, say lawyers.

A law firm recovered a homeowner's £6,100 and believe the payout may lead to thousands of claims a year.

The victim found the builder on Facebook and asked him to re-tile his roof. He asked for a £300 deposit and removed some of the tiles.

The rogue roofer then demanded payments to do the work but never returned, offering numerous excuses including that he was ill.

The cheated homeowner contacted the National Fraud Helpline which, through a new scam reimbursement scheme, received a payout for the client from Barclays Bank.