RETIRED nurse Rosely How has been forced to go back to work after a bogus driveway contractor fleeced her out of £3,000.
Rosely, 65, is working up to 40 hours a week at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital to pay for work to be done to fix her driveway in The Willows, Quedgeley.
She originally paid cash in hand for a builder to lay the driveway back in September last year, but nine months later it began to sink.
However, with no receipt or details about the builder Rosely is unable to pursue a case against him.
Now, she is hoping her story will serve as a warning to others.
"I know I did everything wrong from the beginning," said Rosely, who rents the property to a tenant.
"I have learned the hard way and it has cost me a lot of upset and a lot of money.
"At the time I was worried about paying so much in cash but that's how he wanted to be paid.
"I trusted him and on the basis of trust I went and withdrew the money."
The driveway began to crumble and sink in May and Rosely has had complaints from her tenant about it causing damage to his car.
When Rosely was unable to get in touch with the builder, she realised she had been duped.
She has had no choice but to get a different builder in to fix the job.
"He has conned a vulnerable person," said Rosely.
"And if he has done it to me he will do it to other vulnerable people.
"He has scrimped on materials to make as much money as he could.
"I know that I have lost my money but I just don't want him to get away with it.
"It will end up costing me £6,400 for this driveway.
"Luckily I am healthy and I am able to work but it will take me seven weeks to raise the money."
Gloucestershire Trading Standards says responsible traders will supply a written estimate on headed paper which includes details of who they are and where their business premises are located.
For further advice consumers can contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 03454 040506.
