Scam Type
Fake Invoice/Supplier Bill Scam
Business Name Used
Reliable Landscaping
Date Reported
Oct 07, 2022
Victim Postal Code
91601
Total Dollars Lost
1250
Scam Description
I reached out to Robert Beil @ Reliable Landscaping on 9/20/2022 Tuesday am via text message from an ad he posted on Craigslist regarding your “Reliable landscaping services”. He responded to my text asking for the address and time to look at the property to give an estimate.
At around 2pm on the same day, I received an estimates from him, I requested for a few changes to be made (ie. Change of placements of DG decompose granite Vs Mexican beach pebble rocks), final estimates of $2500 was confirmed on Thursday 9/22/2022 afternoon. He sent me a revised invoice via Square app and asked for a 50% down payment for the deposits for you to buy materials. I paid him $250 via Discover credit card, and another $1000 via zelle payment which he confirmed receipt of both and a promise to complete the job by 9/25/2022 Sunday evening.
On 9/23/2022 Friday, I texted and called you him a few times, he claimed that he had a flat tire and would not be able to perform the job until the next day sat 9/24/2022 am. Saturday came and no words from him. I contacted my realtor Jenny and forwarded her all my communication with him, she helped me to contact him for an update. He again promised her via text messages that it’s a one day job and that it will definitely be completed by Sunday evening 9/25/2022. I called and left him a message and asked for a refund on Saturday 9/24/2022 and he texted back that he would be willingly offer a refund if that’s what I’d preferred. Upon Jenny’s advice, I gave him the benefits of the doubt and waited for another day (Sunday) for him to show up and do the landscaping work as described on the contract which I paid for.
Sunday came and no words from him at all, he did not show up nor did any of his crew show up and he also did not communicate to both Jenny and myself (the person who paid him the $1250 deposit for him to buy materials as he claimed as needed, before the job was to start).
On Friday 9/30/2022, I texted him for a refund and he responded by saying that he’ll contact “square” app to get a refund update for me. I spoke to a “square” representative and was informed that no one by the name of Robert Beil or Reliable Landscaping contacted them.
Another week passed, today’s Oct 7th, 2022, I called him twice this morning to request for a refund again, he answered the call briefly saying that the refund will be processed by end of today 10/7/2022. I’m following up on this matter diligently, I have proofs of all communication and documents between us and multiple witnesses of what happened between us.
I’m filing a business complaint to make others aware of this person and business practice. A legally binded contract was signed but not performed from his end. It is illegal to keep customers’ hard-earned money without intention of having to service for what they paid for.
