A man expressed his anger after contractors painted his elderly mother’s house using what he described as unsightly “poster paint,” transforming her once brick-red residence into a bright pink eyesore. Steve Lofthouse, when visiting his 78-year-old mother in Bootle, Liverpool on February 28, discovered that she had paid £450 for the work, which he now claims is already peeling off. According to the Liverpool Echo, Steve stated that two individuals approached his mother, offering to do some painting work. He criticized the quality of the paint job, noting that it appeared to be indoor emulsion with dirt mixed in, incomplete around the bushes, and even painted over leaves in some areas.
Steve mentioned that the paint was supposed to be red but washed off after rain, showing signs of flaking due to being indoor paint. The poor workmanship also caused damage to windowsills, window frames, the door, and steps, resulting in an unattractive matte pink finish resembling children’s poster paint with a flaky texture. He expressed disappointment that his mother, who is battling leukemia, fell victim to the deceptive contractors who took advantage of her trust, despite her vigilance and cleanliness at home. Steve added that his mother was upset and embarrassed by the situation, as she maintains a pristine interior and detests dust, making her feel targeted by unscrupulous individuals.
After witnessing the substandard painting on his mother’s house, Steve reviewed her ring doorbell camera footage and shared the incident on a local Facebook group, where multiple residents reported similar encounters with suspected fraudulent contractors. One resident recounted a similar experience with men targeting her elderly mother-in-law in Kirkby, while others shared encounters in Hightown and with a man offering leftover paint for house painting.
A spokesperson from Knowsley Council acknowledged reports of two males engaging in cold calling activities, offering tree services in February. The Trading Standards team provided advice to residents on safeguarding against such schemes. Caroline Abrahams CBE, Charity Director at Age UK, emphasized the devastating impact of scams on older individuals, urging caution and vigilance against fraudulent schemes that can harm victims’ emotional and financial well-being. She stressed the importance of collective efforts to combat fraud and protect vulnerable individuals from falling prey to deceitful practices.