Bermudian scam artists and unscrupulous tradesmen are ripping off the island’s senior citizens for thousands of dollars, leaving them feeling helpless and with no hope on the horizon.

The victims, many of whom are women, often do not report the crimes, The Royal Gazette has been told, even in the face of poor workmanship, unfinished contracts and uncaring craftsmen.

That gave Callan Bassett the idea of creating a business directory and web portal where those seeking services can find workmen already vetted by other users.

He has already more than 100 businesses and contractors signed up for the service, ready to demonstrate their business integrity.

Clients who visit the site to find their ideal contractor, pay nothing.

They are encouraged to register as a user to provide reviews attesting to the value of the service they received.

Mr Bassett launched his new online directory Lynk for local contractors, tradespeople and service professionals, by hosting journalists, contractors and senior citizens at an informal luncheon yesterday at the Seventh Day Adventist Church on King Street.

Observers noted that seniors are not the only victims and Lynk is a service that is long overdue.

One supporter, Ms Tucker, herself a senior, made her support vocal during the event.

She believes with the combination of customer referrals and star ratings, Lynk will make it easier for people to find the help they need, by connecting them to service professionals they can trust.

The Age Concern volunteer said: “Seniors I’ve known have had contractors ask for money in advance and then fail to show up.

“Sometimes they start the job, asking for half in advance and the rest when they are half way through. They get the second lot of money and are never heard from again.

“Some seniors have given all the money in the beginning or helped to buy supplies and then the workmen never show up.

“I had a plumbing issue and the plumber left my kitchen in a mess supposedly to get supplies and I never saw him again.

“I’ve now got a friend so that when I need something done, he wants me to call him first so he can recommend someone trustworthy and who ‘won’t take you for an arm and a leg’.

“But that’s the other thing. Because they are dealing with seniors, some of these guys think they can charge any price. Some of it is outrageous.

“Not knowing any better, seniors are stuck because they need the job done.”

Mr Bassett said: “This is like Angi’s List. There are star ratings and customer reviews, information that will grow organically as more people use the service. That’s what (other local listings) don’t have.

“You’ll know if people you are hiring tend to come on time, charge fair rates and get the job done.

“This is not just for established businesses but also for people who do side-hustles, those who have a main job, but who also are known to do quality work in a part-time job for extra income.

“They call it the hustle economy, the way it always was in Bermuda, people using skills in their spare time, sometimes unrelated to their main job. Some people may not have a full-time job at all but are looking for a way to make money.”

Southampton Parish born and raised, Mr Bassett believes Bermudians are increasingly looking to hire services where the trustworthiness and dependability have already been verified by other customers.

He heard many sad stories from seniors during his last employment.

He left his job at Age Concern for this start up. He said it was as a result of what he heard while there.

He said: “Members generally came to me with their concerns. And the main issue by far is that they couldn’t find contractors they could trust.

“These are seniors telling me how they had someone painting their house, or fixing their railing and they wouldn’t show up.”

Contractors and other professionals seeking a listing pay a monthly rate of $19.95 for one listing, $34.95 for two listings and $49.95 for unlimited listings.

Mr Bassett explained that some people want a listing for landscaping but in addition want to list in the house painting section and they may also do trucking.

Mr Basset has made a career out of marketing and business development.

He ran the membership department at Tucker’s Point Club and also was beer brand manager at Burrow’s Lightbourne.

As well as being the business development manager at Age Concern, he also ran the public relations department for IMS Property Group, the UK professional mortgage brokerage, estate agents, lettings agency and property investment group.

But he sees his latest venture as important, offering a service that will allow residents to have confidence in the workmen they hire.