Have you been conned by Antony Cifton and AC Appliance Repairs Ltd? Let us know.
22 thoughts on “Share Your Experience”
Steve Went
We recently bought a ‘reconditioned’ Smeg machine from Tony Clifton to replace our old Miele washing machine which had developed a drain issue.
Tony delivered the new machine to the house & took away our Miele. (Which we were happy for him to do as we thought the new ‘reconditioned’ machine would be fine)
I had to plumb in the new machine and when turned on it was apparent the on/off button & selector dial were faulty and wouldn’t work. I messaged Tony who said he’d order a new control switch but this has never arrived and when I messaged Tony he hasn’t replied. We now have a useless washing machine and will have to buy another.
Yep, same experience as you. Needed a dishwasher repair, called this guy up and he came round.
Diagnosed it as needing a new motor. Flashed up the part his phone and then said I needed to pay to get it ordered.
Created an invoice for me and sent it through. I paid via bank transfer and then he left never to return.
He kept answering my calls for about three weeks just stringing me along and then eventually blocked my number. Then I phoned him on a other phone and he answered again and denied blocking my other number.
Very weird experience and a very brazen crime really. I seem to have all his details (name, email address, actual address, company name) including his bank account number.
Yep, same experience as you. Needed a dishwasher repair, called this guy up and he came round.
Diagnosed it as needing a new motor. Flashed up the part his phone and then said I needed to pay to get it ordered.
Created an invoice for me and sent it through. I paid via bank transfer and then he left never to return.
He kept answering my calls for about three weeks just stringing me along and then eventually blocked my number. Then I phoned him on a other phone and he answered again and denied blocking my other number.
Very weird experience and a very brazen crime really. I seem to have all his details (name, email address, actual address, company name) including his bank account number.
I had a similar experience.
I paid for a part for my dishwasher in advance. Two appointments were made to fit the part, but, he didn’t turn up. I got him on the phone and he was very curt with me insisting that he had had a heart attack! I waited several months before contacting him again in order to ask for a refund, as he hadnt got back to me. This time I rang his phone anonymously. I got through, he was extremely abusive to me on the phone and hung up. I reported him the the consumer advise line, and action fraud and I have started to lodge a claim through the small claims court.
I have since taken him to the small claims court and have now received a ‘judgment for claimant’ order. The repayment date has now elapsed and I now await details from the court regarding bailiff intervention etc.
Unfortunately my wife has just payed this man £115 to fix our tumble dryer ( advance payment requested for parts ) he was supposed to come this morning……. He did not arrive. So I rang him ; the gist being we were being rescheduled due to his work load . He was quite short with me ( I was polite to him ) as I want him to come back …… watch this space
Mike Cummings lyng
Well we paid 115 for tumble dryer parts ; today 18/12/24 is the second time he has told us he is coming to fit the parts and has not turned up .
I have been polite through out this process .
Being without a tumble dryer in winter is difficult/ been a week now . At this stage we will get someone else in to fix it resigned to the fact that this guy is dishonest and or totally incompetent.
We had a similar experience November 2024, we rung him up after a google search to fix our induction hob. He turned up and said he could fix it, sent us an invoice wanting a bank transfer up front. We were suspicious but decided to give him benefit of doubt and sent through the money. Lots of texts and phone calls later (he always sounded inconvenienced and rude) we realised it was a scam, the part was always 48 hours away and fedex’s fault. After a month we informed our bank and luckily got our money back. Felt a bit stupid we were scammed but wanted to give a local ‘company’ some work. Crazy that despite taking the money he was so rude to us, almost as if he didn’t care that we knew we were being scammed.
Yes he doesn’t care because he thinks nobody will do anything. The Police are investigating now so lets hope they step up and are able to do something.
Similar story with me. He turned up to fix faulty gas hob and needed payment upfront to get required part. Sent him the money by bank transfer and that was the last we saw of him! Same story as everybody else, eventually he blocked mine and my wifes phones. At one point he messaged to say that ‘the engineer’ that had attended had suffered a heart attack, but had also told me whilst he was looking at the hob that he had suffered a heart attack! He could not even remember the lies he was telling and the fact that the ‘engineer’ was actually him!!
Came to fix my cooker last autumn. Asked me to pay up front so he could go back and order the part. After 3 weeks no part , and very little communication. I was still without a cooker and so rang another company and told them my story. They immediately asked me his name and then told me he was well known as a fraudster. I felt really stupid to have been taken in and effectively scammed out of £135.
Similar story here. We have a faulty top oven door which won’t close. The guy came around (25/04/2025), said needed to order parts which would be here within a week. So made payment and followed up after a week and no response, his phone was switched off. Tried calling for a few days for an update but phone always switched off.
So then started to text (numerous times) – even if phone switched off at least the communication would get through. Again no response until I suggested on a text that I might be a scam victim. He responded immediately requesting details of make, model, address etc. I refused to give them as he took them to order the parts. Since then no contact from him.
I contacted my bank today who were pretty unhelpful because his account is a business account. So my next step is to contact trading standards on Monday and see where that takes me.
I have thought about giving him the opportunity to refund the money but without some more advice I’m a bit reluctant to release my bank details. We’ll see what trading standards say on Monday before I decide on small claims court, police, or some other means, I have even thought about going to his house in Wymondham where his registered office is, but maybe that’s a bit dangerous.
Whole thing is really annoying, but at least we can manage with one oven for a time.
The embarrassing thing is I worked a a finance director for many years before retiring, but I really didn’t spot any signs
I have just been scammed also by this man. Money taken, no reply since, so did more digging and didn’t take me long to find out he is a criminal that I let into my home. Please ensure you log with the police (I have been advised by a friend in the force), they will address it.
Also, Google reviews will help make people aware, so urge anyone who has been scammed by this man to leave a review.
Same here he came to me 30.5.2025, looked at my fridge/freezer and washing machine . Two parts ordered supposedly , total £365 .
Said he would be back Wednesday or Thursday no show!
Keep phoning both numbers no answer as yet . I will get in touch with BBC Scammer program and police
I have his bank account details, could we all check to see if he is use one account or many . I am phoning my bank in the morning. Message me on Facebook if you have been scammed and have bank details
I’m an old neighbour. Before 2018 tony was a honest hard working person. However like life things happen gotnintwith the wrong crowd and hit the drugs and alcohol route. Maybe this what caused the massive decrease in his work ethic and honestly. It’s such a shame he con so many innocent people to feed his addiction
Same story with me. I phoned to say that my Samsung Fridge freezer was not delivering water from the dispenser. A man came round within 2 days, told me what was needed and that I must pay around £175 he would get the part and come and fit it within 1 week. Despite repeated phone calls I couldn’t speak to anyone due to what I was told was a “faulty” line. After several emails requesting some action or a refund I’ve had no result. I also had the heart attack story when he came to look at the appliance, he also had a serious B O problem. I will contact the police and try to get a refund from my bank but I’m not holding my breath.;
This man regularly abuses vulnerable women who have drug issues by controlling them by using drugs as a payment.
He will trap young sex workers into relationships as he will provide them with drugs in order to feel in control and bully these women. He will transport them to buy drugs and uses himself cocaine and crack. Often withholding items of the women in order to draw them back.
He has sexually assaulted women who are scared to come forward because they are sex workers and vulnerable drug addicts.
Hes been known to keep cats to breed and does not care for the animals or their litters.
This man is a disgusting abuser and a morally impaired conman in order to fund his sexual and drug addictions.
We recently bought a ‘reconditioned’ Smeg machine from Tony Clifton to replace our old Miele washing machine which had developed a drain issue.
Tony delivered the new machine to the house & took away our Miele. (Which we were happy for him to do as we thought the new ‘reconditioned’ machine would be fine)
I had to plumb in the new machine and when turned on it was apparent the on/off button & selector dial were faulty and wouldn’t work. I messaged Tony who said he’d order a new control switch but this has never arrived and when I messaged Tony he hasn’t replied. We now have a useless washing machine and will have to buy another.
Yep, same experience as you. Needed a dishwasher repair, called this guy up and he came round.
Diagnosed it as needing a new motor. Flashed up the part his phone and then said I needed to pay to get it ordered.
Created an invoice for me and sent it through. I paid via bank transfer and then he left never to return.
He kept answering my calls for about three weeks just stringing me along and then eventually blocked my number. Then I phoned him on a other phone and he answered again and denied blocking my other number.
Very weird experience and a very brazen crime really. I seem to have all his details (name, email address, actual address, company name) including his bank account number.
Yep, same experience as you. Needed a dishwasher repair, called this guy up and he came round.
Diagnosed it as needing a new motor. Flashed up the part his phone and then said I needed to pay to get it ordered.
Created an invoice for me and sent it through. I paid via bank transfer and then he left never to return.
He kept answering my calls for about three weeks just stringing me along and then eventually blocked my number. Then I phoned him on a other phone and he answered again and denied blocking my other number.
Very weird experience and a very brazen crime really. I seem to have all his details (name, email address, actual address, company name) including his bank account number.
Nobody seems to be stopping him. He doesn’t appear to respect any court decisions.
I had a similar experience.
I paid for a part for my dishwasher in advance. Two appointments were made to fit the part, but, he didn’t turn up. I got him on the phone and he was very curt with me insisting that he had had a heart attack! I waited several months before contacting him again in order to ask for a refund, as he hadnt got back to me. This time I rang his phone anonymously. I got through, he was extremely abusive to me on the phone and hung up. I reported him the the consumer advise line, and action fraud and I have started to lodge a claim through the small claims court.
I have since taken him to the small claims court and have now received a ‘judgment for claimant’ order. The repayment date has now elapsed and I now await details from the court regarding bailiff intervention etc.
Unfortunately my wife has just payed this man £115 to fix our tumble dryer ( advance payment requested for parts ) he was supposed to come this morning……. He did not arrive. So I rang him ; the gist being we were being rescheduled due to his work load . He was quite short with me ( I was polite to him ) as I want him to come back …… watch this space
Mike Cummings lyng
Ps I will update positive or negative depending on his treatment in the next week or so . Tbf jury is out at moment
Well we paid 115 for tumble dryer parts ; today 18/12/24 is the second time he has told us he is coming to fit the parts and has not turned up .
I have been polite through out this process .
Being without a tumble dryer in winter is difficult/ been a week now . At this stage we will get someone else in to fix it resigned to the fact that this guy is dishonest and or totally incompetent.
Thanks for updating. I am hoping to gather as much evidence as I can so perhaps we can stop him doing it this year.
We had a similar experience November 2024, we rung him up after a google search to fix our induction hob. He turned up and said he could fix it, sent us an invoice wanting a bank transfer up front. We were suspicious but decided to give him benefit of doubt and sent through the money. Lots of texts and phone calls later (he always sounded inconvenienced and rude) we realised it was a scam, the part was always 48 hours away and fedex’s fault. After a month we informed our bank and luckily got our money back. Felt a bit stupid we were scammed but wanted to give a local ‘company’ some work. Crazy that despite taking the money he was so rude to us, almost as if he didn’t care that we knew we were being scammed.
Yes he doesn’t care because he thinks nobody will do anything. The Police are investigating now so lets hope they step up and are able to do something.
Similar story with me. He turned up to fix faulty gas hob and needed payment upfront to get required part. Sent him the money by bank transfer and that was the last we saw of him! Same story as everybody else, eventually he blocked mine and my wifes phones. At one point he messaged to say that ‘the engineer’ that had attended had suffered a heart attack, but had also told me whilst he was looking at the hob that he had suffered a heart attack! He could not even remember the lies he was telling and the fact that the ‘engineer’ was actually him!!
Came to fix my cooker last autumn. Asked me to pay up front so he could go back and order the part. After 3 weeks no part , and very little communication. I was still without a cooker and so rang another company and told them my story. They immediately asked me his name and then told me he was well known as a fraudster. I felt really stupid to have been taken in and effectively scammed out of £135.
Similar story here. We have a faulty top oven door which won’t close. The guy came around (25/04/2025), said needed to order parts which would be here within a week. So made payment and followed up after a week and no response, his phone was switched off. Tried calling for a few days for an update but phone always switched off.
So then started to text (numerous times) – even if phone switched off at least the communication would get through. Again no response until I suggested on a text that I might be a scam victim. He responded immediately requesting details of make, model, address etc. I refused to give them as he took them to order the parts. Since then no contact from him.
I contacted my bank today who were pretty unhelpful because his account is a business account. So my next step is to contact trading standards on Monday and see where that takes me.
I have thought about giving him the opportunity to refund the money but without some more advice I’m a bit reluctant to release my bank details. We’ll see what trading standards say on Monday before I decide on small claims court, police, or some other means, I have even thought about going to his house in Wymondham where his registered office is, but maybe that’s a bit dangerous.
Whole thing is really annoying, but at least we can manage with one oven for a time.
The embarrassing thing is I worked a a finance director for many years before retiring, but I really didn’t spot any signs
I have just been scammed also by this man. Money taken, no reply since, so did more digging and didn’t take me long to find out he is a criminal that I let into my home. Please ensure you log with the police (I have been advised by a friend in the force), they will address it.
Also, Google reviews will help make people aware, so urge anyone who has been scammed by this man to leave a review.
Same here he came to me 30.5.2025, looked at my fridge/freezer and washing machine . Two parts ordered supposedly , total £365 .
Said he would be back Wednesday or Thursday no show!
Keep phoning both numbers no answer as yet . I will get in touch with BBC Scammer program and police
I have his bank account details, could we all check to see if he is use one account or many . I am phoning my bank in the morning. Message me on Facebook if you have been scammed and have bank details
Fairly sure he is now in prison.
I’m an old neighbour. Before 2018 tony was a honest hard working person. However like life things happen gotnintwith the wrong crowd and hit the drugs and alcohol route. Maybe this what caused the massive decrease in his work ethic and honestly. It’s such a shame he con so many innocent people to feed his addiction
Same story with me. I phoned to say that my Samsung Fridge freezer was not delivering water from the dispenser. A man came round within 2 days, told me what was needed and that I must pay around £175 he would get the part and come and fit it within 1 week. Despite repeated phone calls I couldn’t speak to anyone due to what I was told was a “faulty” line. After several emails requesting some action or a refund I’ve had no result. I also had the heart attack story when he came to look at the appliance, he also had a serious B O problem. I will contact the police and try to get a refund from my bank but I’m not holding my breath.;
This man regularly abuses vulnerable women who have drug issues by controlling them by using drugs as a payment.
He will trap young sex workers into relationships as he will provide them with drugs in order to feel in control and bully these women. He will transport them to buy drugs and uses himself cocaine and crack. Often withholding items of the women in order to draw them back.
He has sexually assaulted women who are scared to come forward because they are sex workers and vulnerable drug addicts.
Hes been known to keep cats to breed and does not care for the animals or their litters.
This man is a disgusting abuser and a morally impaired conman in order to fund his sexual and drug addictions.