Authorities say a South Florida plumber who drained dozens of customers of cash but didn't bother to drain their pipes is finally having to payback some of the money.
"I gave him $475 and no he did not fix the problem and he did not take off what he had charged me before, he did absolutely nothing period,” said disgruntled homeowner, Sylvia Dolnick.
Dolnick called Tri-County Plumbing for help, but what she got was a headache.
The Florida Attorney General says Randall Gilbert and his coworkers at Tri-County took not just Dolnick’s money, but 60 others who called to get their plumbing problems fixed.
"These folks were scammed, these folks were calling Tri-County Plumbing here in Broward county with plumbing problems and the company was sending salesmen impersonating plumbers,” said Cindy Guerra from the Florida Attorney General's Office.
Gilbert not only held a license as a master plumber but is a lawyer too. Investigators say victims had their homes ripped apart and the damage left for weeks. But after a long wait, years in some cases, good news. The complaints and patience paid off.
This month, the money these unhappy costumers spent for plumbing repairs is being returned in check form.
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“Yea, I got the check back, $475, it came from Tallahassee,” said Dolnick.
"Based on our investigation, we litigated and consumers got their money back to the tune of $104,000,” said Cindy Guerra.
The state took action against the company for allegedly violating Florida's Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act and obtained this settlement that got the customers their money back.
Experts say it might not seem like there is any relief coming to victims like Dolnick, but filing official complaints can turn into results.
"So we urge people if a company is being deceptive we can help you," said Guerra. "It will take some time when we start investigating. We find other people have been scammed but in the end, you're going to be helping yourself and other consumers."
Gilbert chose not to speak with NBC Miami and his attorney said the company, which was shut down, is not admitting to any wrongdoing. It was also fined over $500,000 and that money goes into the state's general fund.
So if you have a problem, don't think you can't do anything. Take action.
For more information on how you can file a complaint, find out about local rip offs or get your money back check out these websites:
Florida Attorney General/Florida consumer protection
Miami-Dade Consumer Protection Agency
