FOUR – SCAMMERS AND SCAMMED!!
“Jim, I think I might have found someone.”
“Oh, let’s have a look.”
“They are offering fast cash, upto £2500 at 6%.”
“It’s a bit high. But something is better than nothing.”
“Shall we see what they can do for us?”
“Yeah, fill in their form.”
“This has got to be the last Jim. I’ve filled in seven forms already, and if we don’t get anywhere with this one, I don’t think we’ll get it anywhere. They say that bad credit, judgement, and even bankruptcy cases they will consider. So our case should be quite straight forward for them. We have none of those, but just went into the red for a while earlier this year.”
“Let’s see how we get on.”
Deirdre completed the form and submitted it.
It must have been within the hour when the telephone rang.
“Hello?”
“Hello? Is this Deirdre Banks?”
“Yes.”
“This is Steven from All Loans. You recently applied for a loan with us?”
“Oh, yes. Oh that was quick.”
“Yes, we work until 8 most nights.”
“Gosh.”
“Well, I have your application here. Mr James Banks and Mrs Deirdre Banks. Is that correct?”
“Yes.”
“Well I am pleased to let you know that you have been provisionally accepted for a loan, depending on a couple of routine searches.”
“Oh that is good news.”
“Yes, we can offer you £900.”
“Oh, not the two and a half thousand?”
“Er no. You see, it works like this. We offer you something like £900. I know it isn’t what you first applied for. But once you have been paying for 4 months, the company can look at your account again and offer you more money.”
“Oh. Let me just have a word with Jim.”
She told Jim everything.
“But we need the two and a half,” Jim was saying as she started to talk to Steven from All Loans.
“You see Steve, we really need the two and a half to install some new windows before winter.”
“I can appreciate this Mrs Banks. But it is just the policy of All Loans to offer a percentage to first time customers. After that, you can increase and top up your loan as and when you need it after the qualifying period of 4 months. Would £900 not be enough, maybe for a couple of windows that need doing?”
“They all need doing really.”
“Oh, I see. I’ll tell you what. We do have a sister company who specialise in larger amounts but their interest rates are very different from ours. But they will more than likely be able to lend you the two and a half thousand you need. Can I get someone to ring you?”
“Yes please.”
“Ok, leave it with me. It might not be until tomorrow though.”
“That’s ok.”
The phone call came while Jim and Deirdre were both out working. The garbled message just about gave the telephone number which they could call between 9 and 6 most days of the week.
“Hello? All Loans?”
“Good evening. How can I help you?”
“Hi, yes, my name is Deirdre Banks. We have been asked to ring you about a loan application.”
“Give me your postcode.”
Deirdre gave the postcode.
“Ah, yes, I have your file here. Let me put you onto Trevor. He is the manager for your area.”
“Hello? Mrs Banks?”
“Yes.”
“Ah good. Steven May has referred your application to me. Yes, we can help you. We can offer, as first time customers, up to £3000. Would you like me to call round and fill in the paperwork with you?”
“Yes please. How much are the repayments?”
“Let me see, on this, they are £54.28 per week for 104 weeks – that’s over 2 years.”
“It’s quite a bit of money. That would come to just over £200 a month.”
“Yes I know, the rate of interest is a bit cheaper than our friends over in the everyday loan office. But the rate of interest is around 1737%.”
“Good grief. Mind you, we do need the windows. And if we don’t get them put in, then Jim will get sick.”
“And remember, you will have £500 left over if the windows are two and a half thousand. You never know, you might even end up with more – talk to the company who are putting them in, and see what they can knock off for paying straight cash. Some give discounts – shop around a bit.”
“Do you know, that is such a good idea. And most folk will either have windows or a holiday, and usually not both, so we can easily go without a holiday as long as we get the windows put in.”
“Now you are talking.”
“Do you offer early payment of the loan, just in case we can pay it off early?”
“Yes, we give discounts for that. And also, we can pay you bonus if you refer us to a friend etc who take out a loan with us.”
“Oh that’s good.”
“So, would you like me to call around?”
“Let me tell Jim. Can I call you back?”
“Well, yes, but we are just about to close for the night.”
“Oh, ok then. Are you there tomorrow, about this time?”
“Yes, I will be. That’s a good idea. Talk it over, and give me a shout. We can get someone out to you later this week who can do the paperwork, and then the money will be yours.”
“That is fantastic.”
That night, before passionately making love, Jim learnt of the lifeline that All Loans were giving to them. Ok, it would mean tightening their belts for the next two years, it wasn’t cheap, but it seemed the only way to go.
Trevor had made an appointment on that Friday night to come and see them. He brought all the necessary paperwork, got their details, got them to sign the agreement and promised them that he would be in touch with them, by the latest the following Monday.
“Oh you are kidding aren’t you?” Terry was asking over a pint in the pub.
“What do you mean?”
“I could have sorted that one out for you. Our company does the same thing. And with you having your account with us, there would be no problem at all. It’d be the same rate and payments, give or take a pound or two, but you would get me calling round.”
“I didn’t realise your company lent out such money.”
“Yeah, just started to do it in the last 5 or 6 months. It is mainly for those who want to do things like you, windows, central heating, major holidays, stuff like that.”
“Oh, if only we’d have known. I wonder if it is too late to give back word.”
“You should be ok. You’ll get the 14 day cooling off period. Ring then, on Monday, tell them you’ve decided against the loan. I can sort this lot out for you tomorrow.”
“Wow. Yeah, all right then, do it Terry.”
Deirdre rang All Loans, Trevor eventually answered the call. He was disappointed, but thanked her for getting in touch so quickly.
Terry called around with very similar forms and filled them in that night. He reckoned that he would have an answer for them the following day, and that if all went well, that the money would be available later that week,
“This is fantastic,” Jim was saying, stretching back in bed. “No more draughty windows, no more head colds. Going to be all cosy this winter.”
The application was a success. The money, all three thousand pounds of it, was paid directly into their bank account. And now, they could get a few quotes in for the work.
The window company booked was Fletcher and Sons. Long established in the building trade, just recently branching out into the glazing business. Dad was passing the company over to his two sons, and sitting back to retire as a silent partner. His lads Doug and Ste would be taking care of the work. Yes, he told Jim and Deirdre, his lads were competent and would get the job done on time, to their satisfaction.
“Thank you,” Deirdre was telling Terry when he called for the first payment.
“You’re welcome. When do the windows go in?”
“Well, they have a few jobs, but they reckon it will be in a week and a half’s time.”
“Bet you can’t wait.”
“Oh I am looking forward to it. We really need Jim’s job now to pay for this. And I have just taken on another cleaning job. Terry, you just wouldn’t believe the security checks I had to go through. But they are loaded.”
“Good for you.”
The new client lived just outside Booth Village, so she was handy to call in at twice a week to help clean.
It was the lighting that intrigued Deirdre. The chandelier that hung in the hallway was apparently 17th century French, overlooking a beautiful Chippendale occasional table. The hall floor finished it off in its black and white mosaic of Japanese art – something the couple had brought from their trips over to the Far East.
The mansion sat in its own grounds of just about an acre of mature gardens and small orchard – a fettish of the owner’s sister. Nearby was the tennis court. Lawn tennis of course. But it was inside Madam’s bedroom that was the most beautiful.
Delicate country rose patterns on the dressing table complimented by the bed canopy and coverings. But this wasn’t anything that you bought off the shelf. This had been especially designed, wove and sewn by some New York stylist. And what she didn’t know about the quaint English countryside, wasn’t worth writing about. The bedroom oozed femininity. And this was complimented by the secure Red Cedar carved jewellery case.
Deirdre fancied the jewels in there would easily support a poor family for many years, if not best part of their lives.
However, the main thing was that this lovely person wanted someone regular and reliable to call in twice a week. The previous woman was exceptional, but grew old and decided to retire. It was a hard act to follow.
Doug and Ste called round two weeks later and took the measurements.
“We’ll be back in a week’s time, but we could do with taking a deposit.”
“Oh? We weren’t aware of that.”
“No, sorry, it is cash flow issues – we have overspent and we don’t have credit yet with our glass supplier. They are asking a 10% deposit.”
“Oh.”
“And that will be all that we will be asking for until the job is done.”
“Oh. Ok then. Call back tomorrow, I’ll have 10% for you.”
“About this time?”
“Yes.”
Doug and Ste called back the following night to collect the £250 that Jim had withdrawn from the bank. With a promise to return in the next 10 days, they left.
“Jim, when did they say that they would be back?”
“Uh, should be about now actually Deirdre.”
“Shall I give them a ring to see when they are coming? We need to organise someone to be here when they come.”
“Aye. I’ll ring them.”
Deirdre went off to make a coffee.
“Hello Doug?”
“Oh hello. Who’s this?”
“Jim Banks.”
“Oh hello Jim. What can I do for you?”
“We were just wondering when you are coming to put the windows in.
“Right, we have Friday this week to start, carry on during Saturday, and will finish the job on Monday. This ok?”
“Yes. That’s great. What time?”
“We’ll get there first thing. We will collect your glass on Thursday, and bring it over. So we’ll get there just after 8.”
“That’s great. I’ll book the time off.”
“Oh. Ok then. All we need is to get in, and then we will be right.”
“Ok, I’ll see you then.”
“Ok, night.”
Jim arranged to have the time off work. He had already mentioned to his boss that he would be looking to have a week off for the fitting. He was quite surprised that it would take just a couple of days, but the lads must have installed so many windows that their routine must be very fast.
Friday evening came.
“Oh Jim, doesn’t the window look charming? I’m glad we went for the mahogany finish. How cosy it looks.”
“Yes, I like the finish, and it was done so quick also. They were here for 8, whipped out the old window after half an hour, new one went in, all before nine. They have managed to do the kitchen window, hall window and front bedroom. They just have the back bedroom and bathroom. Oh, and the small window on the landing.”
“Wow, they might be finished by tomorrow at this rate.”
“That’s what I was thinking. If they do. I am still taking Monday off – maybe I can pick you up and take you into town.”
“That’d be nice.”
By the time Saturday afternoon had properly started, Doug and Ste had finished. One of the windows proved a bit troublesome, otherwise they would have finished an hour and half earlier.
Nevertheless, all the windows were installed, and the old ones would be taken away for free. Jim paid them the balance, in cash, and they wrote a quick receipt out for him.
“Now listen, don’t worry. They will get a little condensation. Just open them a bit, maybe after a few days, not just yet, the wood needs to settle down. But this is perfectly normal.”
“Ok Doug.”
It had gone quite chilly in the evening. It was little wonder. It was early October, and some of the Atlantic fronts were beginning to make themselves a nuisance. Like so many other families, Jim turned on the central heating, just for an hour at night. Just to take the edge off.
It was then when the condensation increased. It seemed natural. And some of the windows were opened, only slightly.
“How is the window investment?”
“Oh, not bad Terry.”
“Oh I’m not sure Terry. Is it normal for the sills to get this damp?” Jim was asking Terry when he called round for that week’s loan payment.
Terry ran his hand along the hallway window bottom, and could feel the cold damp. It wasn't wet, but had a coldness about it.
“Might be better to have the heating on a bit longer, warm it up a bit.”
“Do you think it’s normal?”
“Oh, it seems ok. But it is something I would expect to feel if the wood was like from the 50’s or 60’s.”
“That’s what I was thinking.”
“Deirdre, it’s ok.”
“Better keep an eye on it.”
“Did the fitters leave a certificate or warranty with their job?”
“Probably. I wonder where it is.”
“Why do you ask?”
“Well, if they had left something like that, anything that goes wrong, and they come back out to sort it out.”
“Oh, right. Better look for it, just in case.”
“In the meantime, don’t worry about it. It’ll be as common as anything at the moment – folk are putting their heating on, and the house just isn’t used to it, so of course there is going to be condensation. Get the heating on a bit longer, and get some dehumidifiers. That’ll sort it out.”
The condensation didn’t improve, but continued, sometimes rivers of water streamed down the windows. And ultimately down onto the windowsills. These in turn got damp, and cold, and damper. As the nights turned colder, so the damp didn’t dry out as quick.
Jim woke up one night, coughing.
“Jim, are you ok?”
“Yeah, just a bit dry. I’ll get some water.”
It took him a short time before he fell asleep again.
He coughed again a few nights later. Again, he fell asleep pretty soon after some water.
He coughed again a few nights later, but this time, it took longer to go to sleep. His coughing had not been properly quashed by the water.
“Oh Terry, I don’t know what to do. Jim is awake most nights now, coughing. He has got some medicine from the doctor. They think it’s a chest cough.”
“What? How long has it been going on for?”
“Three weeks now.”
“Goodness, What is it? A virus or something?”
“They think it’s a chest infection. He’s on antibiotics and cough medicine for it.”
“How long has he been taking that for?”
“Just started them yesterday.”
“Poor man.”
“We just don’t know where he got it from.”
“Well, when you think about it Deirdre – could have got it from anywhere. Look at all the places he goes to everyday. You only need someone in one of those places to have the sniffles.”
“Yes, I think you’re right. He’s taking next week off to see if he can get right.”
“That’s good. I hope he gets better.”
“Righteo, here is your money this week.”
“Listen, if you need a payment holiday, I can have a word with my boss.”
“That’s kind Terry. I’d rather us carry on paying though. But at least it’s there.”
“Think on.”
“Do you know Deirdre, Ms Smith was saying over their morning cuppa and cake, “but I knew someone who had a chest infection. Do you know what helped?”
“No?”
“Putting thick curtains up at the windows, but having the windows slightly open. Lets the fresh air in, circulation and all that. But thick curtains to keep the cold out.”
“But Jim soon gets cold.”
“Put extra layers on him – that’s the best warmth you can have. Insulate him.”
“Ms Smith, it’s our windows.”
“What about them? You have just had new ones put in.”
“Yes I know, but the window bottoms get damp and cold, and there is always condensation running down them.”
“Oh you get that all the time.”
“Yes, I know, but it seems worse to me than when we had our old windows in. I don’t think our windows are right.”
“Well woman, you will have to ring your glaziers.”
“I keep trying, but they don’t answer my calls.”
“Oh really?”
“No.”
“Not very professional. Are they registered?”
“I think so.”
“Bring in their bill or estimate. I can tell you whether they are registered. I used to work in Guildsman offices, I can tell you if they are or not.”
“What happens if they’re not?”
“Nothing really, but their standard of work might not be as good. Oh my dear, I am worrying you. Listen, it is probably nothing to worry about. Just new things settling down. Listen, don’t worry. Best thing to do is to open them a little, let the air circulate a bit for Jim.”
“Ms Smith, I am so worried. Jim has had some bad coughs before now, and has had to take time off work. If he has to do that again, we can’t afford to live.”
“Look don’t worry. It’ll be all right.”
Deirdre tried not to worry. But that was as practical as asking a river to run uphill.