As a number of you good people know, l'm a builder here on the Gold Coast.
I've been building for nearly 40 years and have always had an unblemished record and name for myself.
I'm licenced through the QBCC ( Queensland Building & Construction Comission ) and just a week ago from the Brisbane office, l was sent an email from the board for 'Non Compliance Notice, on a job where l had supposedly ripped a client off. They gave me 7 days to make contact and comply with a said process.
I made contact with the board and stated that l did not know of the person ( client ) or the address in Brisbane. l have not worked in Brisbane for over 3 years.
Yesterday, l recevied another Non Compliant Notice, this time from the Gold Coast Branch, basically for the same thing.
Again, from a person and address whom l do not know of.
I can state that l've always had excellent realationships with my clients, hence the reason my son and l do a lot of 'repeat business' for past and present clients and referrals.
I spoke with the boards and made notice to each of them, about the 'other' case, just to link them together.
What was happening was blatant fraud!
Someone was using my personal name, my business name and forging my signature, to win building jobs. They were taking large deposits, 30-47K, not paying onsite trades and taking off. On top of that, they were advertising throughout 3 states of Australia, using my licence number and name..................... Total Fraud!
Today, l went to the local Police station and wrote a Stat Dec. with them. Later, as it happened, the victim from the first case arrived at my house and asked, ................. are you the real? ( name witheld )
We sat and had a beer together and chatted about the both sides of this fraud matter. He even showed me a photo of the fake me!
The strange thing is, overnight, l was supplied by the QBCC, copies of the fake invoices and the listed bank account details of the fraudster. The Police have now stated that it is now a major crimmal case ( other factors involved which l can't state ) and hopefully, an arrest will be forthcoming, soon. Litigation would cost me an arm & leg with little if no financal return. I have everything to lose and nothing to gain. I'm an open target.
As a licenced contractor, all my details are open to the public, which can be and has been abused.
My good name for which l have built up over 40 years can be ruined in a matter of minutes. Apparently the fraudster had Hi Pages advertisiment around the country, using my details for his benefit.
I think the licencing board will need to address the issue of what is made public .............. people like myself need some protection, surely.
Your thoughts?
