West Midlands scammers are getting rich off your rubbish. And you're paying the bill.
You hire a guy off social media to clear your garden waste. He quotes you £40. You think it’s a steal.
He drives off, turns the corner, and dumps your rubbish down a country lane. A week later, the council knocks on your door. They found an old delivery box with your address in the pile.
⚠️ Legal Responsibility
Guess who pays the fine? Not the scammer. You. Under UK law, if your waste is fly-tipped, the householder is legally responsible. That £40 "bargain" just turned into a £400 fixed penalty notice.
Fly-tipping isn't just an eyesore. It’s an organized business model for criminals. They pose as legitimate waste carriers, take your cash, dump the waste illegally, and leave local taxpayers to foot the massive clean-up bill—costing the UK around £392 million every single year.
Councils across the West Midlands are cracking down. But the scammers keep popping up because people keep giving them money.
How You Protect Yourself
S-C-R-A-P the cash deals
Never pay cash for waste removal. Legitimate businesses have traceable payment systems.
Check the permit
Ask to see their Environment Agency Waste Carrier license. You can check this instantly on the government website.
Demand a paper trail
Get a proper invoice or waste transfer note showing exactly where it’s going.
If they say "I'll do it cheaper for cash," walk away immediately. Cheap waste removal isn’t a good deal. It’s a liability.
Protect your wallet. Stop funding the scammers.
Olu Soremekun
Head of Operations
