New computer stolen by builder

Whoever it was has spent time having a serious rummage through your stuff. I can't believe you didn't complain to the foreman that your secured door had been forced.

Barmcake This is cut and pasted from a thread you started in October.

I have just been ripped off by a cowboy builder for the second time, but this time they damaged my neighbour's property. For the sake of my ruined mental health I've written off the money and compensated my neighbour.

My Victorian terrace needs complete renovation.

Should I sell the house and go to an assisted living flat; or,
do a complete renovation.

Would love to hear from those who have or have had a similar experience and how they resolved it. I feel like just packing a bag and running away at the moment.

It seems you were ripped off twice previously and you wrote off the money and had to compensate your neighbour.
Now you have paid a builder up front 12K had goods stolen and you are prepared to write that off too.

I’m sorry to be so blunt but you seem to have too much money and too little common sense.

Scribbles

A bit late now but I'm wondering why the thief found it so easy to take the book of passwords as well as the computer. Surely, OP, you didn't keep them together?
I don't have a book of passwords but, if I ever decide to do so, the list will be written in a scruffy old notebook labelled "Auntie Mary's Pudding Recipes" and shoved in a kitchen drawer, well away from my PC. Or left, untitled, in the shed in a box marked "3.5 x L16mm wood screws". Just anywhere, really, where an opportunist criminal isn't likely to come across it.
Let's not make it easy for the tea-leaves!

I hid my password book inside a big pair of knickers with lots of socks piled on top. The Amazon box was under the bed hidden by piles of sheets and towels.

My accounts are Just written (H) for Halifax etc. so it wouldn't be easy to access them. They also need phone verification. I won't trust anyone in future.

I put it under the bed, put a latch on the door and tied it with binding because my personal items were in that room. The door was wide open when I got home and I knew someone had been rummaging around.

I understand what you mean, it does happen. It was in a big Amazon box and has certainly gone.

A bit late now but I'm wondering why the thief found it so easy to take the book of passwords as well as the computer. Surely, OP, you didn't keep them together?
I don't have a book of passwords but, if I ever decide to do so, the list will be written in a scruffy old notebook labelled "Auntie Mary's Pudding Recipes" and shoved in a kitchen drawer, well away from my PC. Or left, untitled, in the shed in a box marked "3.5 x L16mm wood screws". Just anywhere, really, where an opportunist criminal isn't likely to come across it.
Let's not make it easy for the tea-leaves!

Are you 100% sure you didnt move it yourself from the hiding place..or another member of the family did.
We had something similar happen and the item was discovered later elsewhere in the house. We had both "misremembered" where it was. Luckily we hadn't taken it further. How embarrassing that would have been.
But if you are sure then I would have thought a call to 101 for advice would be my first step.

Jaxjacky

I don’t really understand why you posted if you’re happy to write off (amazingly) the computer?

I've actually been really upset all day and find your comment unhelpful.

JdotJ

I'd make a casual comment that I had hidden cameras in every room and watch their response

I will make some comments when they return and see what the response is.

I do have online banking Cabbie21 and have just changed all passwords.

I know a builder who got back at someone by leaving the water running all day.

I'd make a casual comment that I had hidden cameras in every room and watch their response

Caleo/ChatGPT have nailed it. It certainly is not best it you do not say anything!

You need to protect yourself and all those who might come after and fall victim to this crook.

barmcake

I've been busy all morning changing passwords etc. Thank you for the great advice.

Georgasgran/Bluebell: so sorry, what a horrible experience.

I don't want to complain at this stage as they've had a large chunk of money (£12,000) and might do a bad job on the roof.

I'm going to read through Caleo's guide. Have moved back in and will keep a close eye on things.

The building company owner is doing most of the work and has excellent reviews. He had a very young lad with him who made me feel a bit uneasy. I'm just too trusting and must just look on it as another of life's lessons.

Why have you paid upfront?
You are in a really precarious position.

I don’t really understand why you posted if you’re happy to write off (amazingly) the computer?

I would have no hesitation in speaking with the builder and letting him know that it will be reported to the police.
You’re not accusing him personally, but providing him with information that he needs about his workforce.
It may mean a delay in the building work whilst he “rests” anyone in his team.
I’m sure that you will have taken details of his insurers and could report the theft to them (which the builder will want to avoid).

A book of passwords would be rich pickings for most people, but it sounds as if you don’t do online banking?
I can’t believe how cool and calm you are about this theft. I wouldn’t be.

Witzend

Whether it’s foolproof I don’t know, but we only use people recommended on the Which Trusted Traders site. It’s worked for us so far.

Not for our neighbours, unfortunately.

They had a bad experience with builders who were on a recommended list and in fact they were really threatening.

The building company owner is doing most of the work and has excellent reviews. He had a very young lad with him who made me feel a bit uneasy. I'm just too trusting and must just look on it as another of life's lessons
Sorry Barmcake being robbed is not one of life’s lessons, this needs to be investigated for your own peace of mind and (if it was an employee) to stop him carrying on like this.
Do you want to have the reputation of an «easy rip-off» or somebody too old to notice? . Who’s to say the lad won’t be back for more?

I haven't read the whole thread so may be repeating others but that builder needs to know if the young man isn't trustworthy so I'd want to have a gentle conversation with them both asking if they'd seen a computer and watch the response.

petra

My friend would say put it out to the universe I know, easier said than done.
My big worry would be the passwords. I assume you contacted everyone.
Do you have a password app on your phone?
I would be very careful Re upsetting a builder. Is water and electrics involved in the refurb? They could leave you with a lot of faults that might not show up for some time. By then he’s long gone and trying to prove that he created those faults will be very hard to prove.

Exactly Petra. I never go back to a restaurant again once I've complained.

I don't have a smart phone or apps but am slowly sorting it out.

I'm always blind sided by betrayal, that sticks, but the money can always be earned again.

I've been busy all morning changing passwords etc. Thank you for the great advice.

Georgasgran/Bluebell: so sorry, what a horrible experience.

I don't want to complain at this stage as they've had a large chunk of money (£12,000) and might do a bad job on the roof.

I'm going to read through Caleo's guide. Have moved back in and will keep a close eye on things.

The building company owner is doing most of the work and has excellent reviews. He had a very young lad with him who made me feel a bit uneasy. I'm just too trusting and must just look on it as another of life's lessons.

Similar happened to me years ago. I hired a plasterer and on the second day he brought a teenager with him - a sickly looking lad, who just slumped in the van most of the day. By 3pm the plasterer had had enough and said he’d take the lad home, as he was neither use nor ornament.
A couple of weeks later, I noticed some jewellery missing and called the Police. It could only be the plasterer, so the Police went off to see him. I was surprised a few days later when the plasterer turned up with everything, except one ring, which he thought had already been sold. He said he was sorry and explained that the lad was on drugs, constantly in trouble with the police, and as a favour to the parents, he’d thought bringing him out on jobs would give them a break and keep the lad away from local bad influences. I believed him and was sorry that his good turn had backfired.

Like others, I’d mention it to the boss and query if any of the lads had simply moved it somewhere for safe-keeping. Hopefully you’ve already changed those passwords.

By computer I assume you mean a laptop rather than an actual desktop computer? Just tell the foreman that it's gone and that you're reporting the loss to the police and see what happens. Good luck. For goodness sake don't do nothing!

The police would be my first port of call. this is sickening and I am sorry that you are having to go through this. Blimey we trust these people in our house and they do that.

I’m also puzzled why this does not bother you.

The computer doesn’t bother me
I find it hard to understand simply dismissing the theft of a new computer- presumably a laptop?
We are talking several hundred £££ aren’t we?
I could not afford to write that off - it wouldbe an insurance claim and that would involve the police and a crime number surely?
Why are you not bothered by it? Or are you not sure about your suspicions?
I’m puzzled.

My friend would say put it out to the universe I know, easier said than done.
My big worry would be the passwords. I assume you contacted everyone.
Do you have a password app on your phone?
I would be very careful Re upsetting a builder. Is water and electrics involved in the refurb? They could leave you with a lot of faults that might not show up for some time. By then he’s long gone and trying to prove that he created those faults will be very hard to prove.