Fresh Warning After Suspected Dodgy Tradies Target McLaren Vale
Here we go again, South Australia. The Bitumen Bandits are back!
Where do these blokes keep finding all this leftover bitumen? They’ve clearly had a never-ending supply for years!
Consumer and Business Services (CBS) has issued yet another warning after receiving a fresh report of suspected bitumen bandits targeting homes and businesses in McLaren Vale.
The latest report involves a group trading under the name ‘Blackstone Oz Pty Ltd’, with CBS continuing to investigate.
Same Old Sales Pitch
These travelling tradies turn up uninvited, claiming they’ve got leftover bitumen from a nearby job, offering to resurface your driveway or car park for a bargain price.
Sounds great right? Wrong.
CBS warns the work is often substandard, with repairs costing far more than the original job. Some operators also use pushy tactics to pressure people into paying up.
Thankfully, the person involved in the latest report smelled a rat and didn’t hand over any money.
Don’t Fall For It
CBS says to watch out for tradies who:
- Demand immediate payment.
- Start work without your approval.
- Pressure or intimidate you into agreeing to a job.
And while the latest sighting was in McLaren Vale, these guys pack up and move around quickly, so regional communities should keep an eye out.
Gotta give it to them for persistence. Back in July we reported on a crumby bitumen job where a Lyndoch business owner got a front-row seat to the scam.
If you spot suspected bitumen bandits, report them to Consumer and Business Services on 131 882.
You can also check out the latest warnings and report suspicious activity on the CBS Bitumen Bandits page.
