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Rogue 'waste collectors' scam Brits out of hundreds and thousands of pounds

Scam collectors often fly tip rubbish, waste management company says. (Jon Tyson/Unsplash)
Scam collectors often fly tip rubbish, waste management company says. Photo: Jon Tyson/Unsplash

“Rogue” waste collectors have scammed Brits out of hundreds and thousands of pounds this year, research suggests.

With the pandemic leaving many working from home, there has been a significant increase in homeowners inadvertently calling out rogue rubbish collectors, according to a survey by BusinessWaste.co.uk.

It found more than 600 bad jobs involving a scam rubbish removal firm over the last year, with fraudsters often overcharging customers by £300 ($402) or more.

As a result, the UK waste management company has warned households and businesses to stay alert.

The company added that the rising unemployment rates as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic means fraudsters are more likely to take advantage.

“The industry is regulated, but many customers don’t know to check if someone has a waste carriers licence and review checking online unfortunately only happens after its gone wrong,” said director Mark Hall.

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“During the current pandemic, we expect the number of incidences involving rogue waste collectors to rise as people under increasing financial pressure see it as an easy way to make money.”

He added that homeowners are also keeping a closer eye on their finances, which means they may be tempted by “the lure of a deal too good to be true.”

One customer in London fell victim to a scam waste collector in November. He claimed he was overcharged by more than £1,000, only to later find the waste had been dumped in his neighbour's garden.

He explained that while working from home, his “spare room became full of lot of confidential work waste that needed to be disposed of correctly,” so he found a local rubbish removal company with a price list online. But in hindsight, these prices were “complete fiction,” he said.

The waste collector turned up the next day and told him the job would cost £200. However, he later presented a “huge bill of £1,300,” the customer claimed.

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When told that the extra cost was due to the confidentiality of the waste requiring it to be disposed of in a certain way that required a waste transfer certificate, he trustingly paid the bill on his company debit card, he explained.

However, after getting in touch with BusinessWaste, he learned the job should have only cost between £100 and £190. He also found many negative reviews on the Trustpilot website, and realised he has been scammed.

The fake waste collection company didn't respond to any form of contact, even after threats of reporting them to Trading Standards, BusinessWaste said.

The company added that these “rogue” waste collectors often fly tip jobs.

In order to remain vigilant, Brits should always check the internet for reviews and mentions before trusting a company, BusinessWaste advised.

Customers should also never let themselves be charged for a Duty of Care certificate. “Under current UK laws, businesses have a legal obligation to keep a Duty of Care Certificate, or Waste Transfer Note, that documents every load of waste that leaves the premises,” the company said.

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“Your waste management company should provide you with this entirely free of charge, however, this is not always the case.

“You should be very wary of any company that charges extra to provide a waste transfer note.”

Additionally, Brits should check that the company has a waste carrier’s license. Customers can ask for a carrier's certificate and double-check that it matches the company that is invoicing them online, the firm advised.

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