TRAVELLING tradesmen offering discounted prices for work on the Mornington Peninsula over summer should be avoided, local police warn. Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Stephen McKenzie, of Mornington Peninsula CIU, said con artists offering cheap painting, roof repairs, driveway repairs and other similar work should be avoided.
“These are people doing sub-standard work and charging considerably more than the value of the work being quoted,” he said.
“Unfortunately, they are known to prey on the elderly and vulnerable, and can be very assertive, offering one-off sale prices or heavily discounted prices due to job cancellations or other reasons.
“Historically, these people target our areas and there have been some reports of this already occurring. Unless you are absolutely certain that you are dealing with qualified and reputable tradespeople/companies, our advice is to be careful.”
Detective McKenzie said anyone approached in these circumstances should “kindly refuse the work”.
“If these people are persistent, do not engage with them but instead call 000, Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 or Consumer Affairs Victoria 1300 558 181,” he said.
First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 5 December 2017
