Local fraudster ordered to pay compensation
Following an investigation by Midlothian Council Trading Standards, Michael Patterson (formerly of Straiton) has been ordered at Edinburgh Sheriff Court to fully compensate nine people he defrauded while trading as Midlothian business, Discount Bathrooms Scotland.
Fraudulent scheme
Patterson had earlier pled guilty under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 to running a fraudulent scheme. In 2021, Patterson took 35% deposits for bathrooms ordered on Facebook Messenger and failed to provide any goods or services, offering instead various Covid related excuses. Patterson who now lives in Great Yarmouth, is to pay back a total of nearly £11,000 over three years.
Customer
Speaking after the judgement last week, one of his customers, Jim MacLeod from Gorebridge, said “After a survey and payment in August 2021, I never saw Patterson again until in court today. After a couple of missed appointments he agreed to refund me and pretended he was in the bank getting cash. After that he claimed to have paid it into the wrong account.”
Be cautious
Cllr Stuart McKenzie, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Trading Standards warned Midlothian residents to be cautious of fraudsters. He said: “I welcome this judgement and warn local residents to be wary of potential scammers. It’s saddening to see people being tricked out of their money in this way. Especially in these hard financial times. Please be assured the Council’s Trading Standards team will do all that they can to investigate concerns about local companies and if necessary as in this case take action on behalf of local consumers.”
If you think you may been scammed or have any concerns about a business operating in Midlothian, please contact:
- Midlothian Trading Standards on 0131 271 3559 / tradingstandards@midlothian.gov.uk or
- Call Advice Direct Scotland on 0808 164 6000 (Freephone).