Fraud case in Rhön-Grabfeld: Police warn of fake tradesmen!

Fraud case in Rhön-Grabfeld: Police warn of fake tradesmen!

Last weekend, a homeowner in the Rhön-Grabfeld district fell victim to a brazen scam. Three men offered to repair his gutter for just 60 euros. After he agreed, two other accomplices suddenly appeared and drove up in an unmarked white van. In the end, the bill turned out to be a shock: it was supposed to be 2,080 euros for the work that had nothing to do with the initially cheap offer. The 59-year-old was suspicious and only paid a partial amount, which probably saved him a major financial loss. The Mellrichstadt police have now started investigations into fraud and are warning of similar schemes that are becoming increasingly widespread. InFranken reports that ...

But how do you protect yourself from such dubious tradesmen? You should always be suspicious of cheap offers on your doorstep, such as those offered by the perpetrator. The police also advise people to refrain from such offers. Fraudsters often steal significant sums of money - as was the case in Rüsselsheim, where a total of 4,000 euros in cash was obtained. It is feared that other people could be affected by these “roof sharks”. Chip provides information on how you can protect yourself from roof sharks.

Quick help or expensive fun?

Scammers often take advantage of the plight of people who need quick help. Older people in particular are often the target of these unscrupulous practices. The alleged craftsmen often appear professional and charge exorbitant prices for poor services. It can happen that the actual problem is not solved at all or even additional damage is caused. The number of unreported victims remains high because many of those affected pay out of uncertainty or fear, even though they are not legally obliged to do so. The consumer advice center explains such machinations and offers support to those affected. Handwerkerwissen explains how you can prevent fraud.

In order not to fall for scammers' tricks, you should follow a few important steps when crafting:

• Lassen Sie sich nicht von vermeintlich günstigen Angeboten unter Druck setzen.
• Prüfen Sie die Seriosität der Handwerkerfirma gründlich.
• Verlangen Sie immer einen schriftlichen Kostenvoranschlag.
• Bei Zweifeln sollten Sie im Zweifelsfall die Polizei informieren.
• Vermeiden Sie Barzahlungen und holen Sie mehrere Angebote ein.

If you follow these simple tips, you can better protect yourself from possible fraud. And if an incident still occurs, it is important to get help in good time and check the legal options. This means your house stays in good hands and you avoid unpleasant surprises.