Edinburgh mum 'scammed' by handyman after spotting his message on social media

Chell and her son Scott
-Credit: (Image: Supplied)


An Edinburgh mum told how she was scammed out of £200 by a 'handyman' - and wants to warn others of the ruse.

Chell Wallace, 53, hired the help of a man after seeing his advert on social media. After sending over money through bank transfers as well as cash that he collected in person, she said the work is yet to be done and the man is blanking her messages and calls.

The single mum is now worried about making ends meet until the end of the month and is concerned for her son Scott, 19, who is living with autism and ADHD. Chell feels she's "let her son down" after trusting the individual and letting him into her home.

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The family hired the man to fix holes in the wall in their Saughton Mains home which had come from Scott's "meltdowns". They were told the 'handyman' understood what they were going through, as he had a nine-year-old son with similar struggles - a story Chell now doubts.

She told Edinburgh Live: "He was meant to fix the walls in my house.

"My son has autism and ADHD and sometimes when he's having a meltdown the walls get the brunt of it. I bank transferred this guy money last Thursday after seeing his post on Facebook, and he was to come round and fix up the walls.

"He said he'd come on Saturday, then never showed. On Sunday, he got in touch to say he'd been at the vet because his dog passed away.

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"He asked for more money, and said I'd underpaid. He said he'd be round about 1pm, and offered to take me to the bank.

"I said no, I'd go myself. He came round later and took cash, I handed him £100."

Chell was then told the "handyman" would be back on Monday, though he never showed. Though she feels "stupid" for trusting him, Chell hopes others will think twice before handing over cash to people they've met online.

She added: "I never trust anyone. I've got my wits about me, and he scammed me.

The man came to Chell's home to collect cash
The man came to Chell's home to collect cash -Credit:Supplied

"He told me he had a nine-year-old son with autism and ADHD just like me, so he understood about the walls and the meltdowns. I trusted him, and thought to myself he knew what we were going through.

"That £200 is food and bills for the rest of the month. I've tried calling and texting and no reply.

"I just feel so stupid. I don't have many people around me, I've not got parents or family and I've only got about four friends.

"I feel like I've let my son down. I let that man into our house and he took our money."

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Police Scotland have issued advice on how to avoid being scammed by rogue traders. On their site, officers state: "What else can I do to stop being defrauded by a rogue trader?

"Trading Standards advice is: Don’t feel pressurised into agreeing to immediate work or buying a product or service.

"Don’t agree to buy from the first person who calls. Don’t pay cash up front.

"Don't offer to go and get money. Shop around if you decide you need work done, ask what your cancellation rights are and report them."