At her lowest ebb, just months after her husband’s death, Maev used the Rated People website to look for a roofer. Lee provided a quote, but then said the costs had soared because on closer inspection the roof – which he had damaged himself – was in danger of collapse and needed urgent major repairs. The retired textile designer felt “terrified” that work on her home in Stevenage, Herts, would not be finished unless she agreed to Lee’s repeated demands for payment. Luckily her bank alerted police when large sums of money were seen leaving her account.

And despite her ordeal, which left her in a “continual state of fear”, Maev was able to help bring Lee to justice.

Described by a judge as “truly wicked”, the conman, of Orpington, Kent, was jailed for 40 months after admitting five charges relating to fraud, aggressive commercial practice and acquiring criminal property. Last year Maev was “thrilled” to receive a Chartered Trading Standards Institute Hero Award.

But she added: “I’m not sure I’m a hero. I just wanted him off the streets so he couldn’t scam anyone else.” She has now teamed up with Hertfordshire County Council which is taking the national lead to combat rogue traders.

Maev, who relives her ordeal in a video urging victims not to “suffer in silence”, told the Daily Express: “It is estimated only five per cent of people in this situation actually report what’s happening. I was pretty sure I was being scammed but I was frightened and ashamed and embarrassed by it.

“I thought, ‘Is anybody going to believe me if I go to the police?'” A spokesman for Rated People said: “We’ve significantly improved the way we check tradespeople since Mrs Dunmore’s experience.

“We’ve also introduced a series of safeguards for ongoing monitoring of tradespeople on our platform.”

Trading standards receive about 17,000 reports of rogue trading and doorstep crime a year, but officials believe this is the tip of the iceberg.

Hertfordshire Trading Standards chief Guy Pratt said: “Maev’s experience reflects what is happening to many people every month”.

If you think you or someone you know has been scammed, contact Citizens Advice on 03454 040506.

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