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Thursday, June 07, 2007
Grazy
Parcela
I'm in Estepona
I've made 18 posts
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Hi All,
I am a person who is very positive about life and like to post about happy things, but sometimes when there are people around who are just waiting to take your money by conning you, somebody has to give the warning!
Beware of bogus “Butano” (gas) inspectors!
They have been around for years, conning unsuspecting property owners out of exorbitant amounts of money for supposedly inspecting their gas installation and then fitting “new parts” (usually a second hand regulator from the last person they visited and a piece of gas tube which anybody can purchase from the Butano depot for a few euros).
These me usually arrive in a white van, they wear orange/blue boiler suits and carry printed receipt books, which use a very similar colour scheme and graphic style to that of the official Butano paperwork.
They often tell you that you are delinquent on your inspection and that you are in an illegal position and therefore must have the inspection done right away. You have no obligation to allow them into your property, but they use surprise and panic to get you to allow them inside your home.
They charge 50-60 eur and recently at one of my buy-to-rents, they tried to intimidate the lady living there to pay-up 150 eur for a bogus water heater recon, which would have consisted of removing the cover pretending to adjust a few screws and then replacing the cover.
I have been caught by these people twice over the years, once in my apt and once in my restaurant. When they turn up they appear to be the real deal, dressed convincingly and clutching papers that resemble the real ones and they are very experienced at being pushy and aggressive conmen. Thgese crooks catch many, many people! Please don’t fall for their con trick.
I’d love to answer your questions on this topic and hear from others who may have been had by these unscrupulous people.
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Spain for a Great Quality of Life!
www.26intheshade.com
26intheshade.blogspot.com/
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08 Jun 2007 5:22 PM
FibbyUK
Villa
I'm in UK, Surrey & Playa Flamenca, Costa Blanca
I've made 1867 posts
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Thanks for the tip Grazy.
When we are in the Uk, we tend to be more "aware" of these fraudsters.
But in a foreign country, I am sure that many of us, not knowing the language, can be drawn in.
Regards,
_______________________
FibbyUK
http://www.payingtaxesinspain.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk
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