Warning - handyman Barry Hopkins - 07547333593

[mayo]

I posted this a while ago but it seems to have been taken down...

I asked Barry to do some work for me - foolishly agreed to give him £100 up front for materials as I thought cash flow might be an issue for him.

This was 7th June. He has not done any work for me, refused to refund my money and is not responding to any messages.

Please do not use him - he is a thief.

[Castleton]

If he's on Checkatrade leave a review there

Maybe Trading Standards could help?

[ragtime]

Edited post

[mayo]

Barry still not answering calls or messages and not returned my £100. Please steer clear and do not use this man

[ragtime]

I was also the victim of Barry Hopkins scam. Without a doubt the most dishonest person I have come across in all my property management dealings. He offered to do some decorating for me before the tenants expected to moved-in in three days. As he had done couple of jobs for me before, I trusted him and regrettably gave him £280 up front for materials. He didn’t show up and has not refunded me my money or responded to my calls and messages either. He lures you in his web with charm and reasonable prices and then scams you like any rogue tradesman. Be aware of this THIEF do not use him or fall for his TRAP.

[mayo]

Ah sorry to hear he has scammed you too - I hope anybody else finds our posts before they employ him. I will PM you.

[mayo]

Just keeping this live on the boards so nobody else gets scammed by Barry

[ar23]

Thanks for the heads up. Unfortunately too late for me too, also got scammed. So disappointing, seemed like such a nice guy

[cher]

I gave Barry £300 in July to put a shed up. He says he will do the job on the 15th oct .i phone and text several times a day everyday. No response . I will post again to let you all know the outcome.

[Pugwash]

Might be worth mentioning it to local SNT (Police). An elderly friend was scammed in a similar way some years ago and mentioned it to our SNT who were very interested as they knew that several people had paid up front for work which was either never undertaken or badly done. With the help of my friend they set up a situation and caught the men in question.

Police can access mobile phone details and get names and locations.

[Joe]

Just to confirm, Barry has been banned from the forum as of a few months ago and I have hidden the recommendations given to him. New forum members won't be able to find his posts.

He did have a handful of recommendations from established forum members which I expect were legitimate. However he has at some point this year gone rouge and started scamming people.

[Pugwash]

Further to my previous comment it may be worth reporting him tp Southwark's Trading Standards Officers.

[mayo]

Thanks Pugwash, I will try that. I reported it to the police who weren't interested

[NewLocal]

I suspect that Barry is now going under a different name. I had a leaflet through the door for painting and decorating services. Was quoted and a low price and quickly asked for £100 for materials.

Does anyone who fell victim to Barry have any more information they could share? I’m hesitant to call someone out as I refused a deposit, but I was immediately suspicious. One thing I expect could stand out is almost incomprehensible messages and overuse of the 👍.

[cher]

Hello all

Up date. I gave Barry £300 in July to put a shed up. Usually definitely would not give anyone money up front , but he did some small jobs on time so i had built some trust. Although he wanted money up front - i highlighted i was a nurse and therefore could not afford to loose money.

Anyway he still has not done the work on the shed .

I have rang him several times a day for several days and he has not picked up. He has text to say he is going through a messy divorce and now living in Gillingham , not intending to return.

I value all the advise on here and I will be contacting check a trades , trading standards and the local police. i have a photo copy of his driving licence , so i shall write to the address on there and see where i get.

[cher]

P. S I can upload a copy of driving licence so if he is going under a different name at least there will be his photo