A couple of cowboy builders have gone off with my money leaving my house in a pretty awful state. They said they were working for the manufacturers of the plastic guttering and fascia boards they were using. I know of several other people who have also been taken in by them: is there anything we can do?
Contact the police. The men are evidently obtaining money by deception and should be stopped before anyone else is taken in. If they’re caught and convicted the court may make compensation orders to the householders who have lost out, and you can also sue them if you think they have any funds with which to pay you back: but the problem will be finding them. You should always check the references of any tradesman before you give them money.