大象传媒

He promises his customers they can 鈥渓ive the dream鈥� in a converted campervan.听

But the experience for many customers of Llanelli based Vdub passion has been very different. Large numbers of complaints prompted Trading Standards to launch a major investigation into owner Paul Lloyd鈥檚 practices.

鈥淐ustomers complained they had either lost their vehicle or their money or been promised something that was never delivered鈥�, explained Roger Edmunds from Carmarthenshire Trading Standards. 鈥淗e became quite aggressive in some instances. His business practices were aggravated by the fact that he supplied some vehicles that were unsafe. We're talking about bald tyres down to the wire.听 When you consider the weight of these vehicles that is really serious safety implication.鈥�

And Paul Lloyd鈥檚 track record isn鈥檛 pretty. His other campervan business, Race Passion, which he ran from the same premises, had eighteen county court judgements against it. To date, 拢110,000 worth of fines remain unpaid. Race Passion has now gone bust, but VDub Passion is still trading.

Paul Lloyd says he鈥檚 put those practices behind him, but we have evidence which throws that into doubt.听

We know that just two months ago, Paul Lloyd lied to a customer about the ownership of a van he was selling. Lloyd claimed it was a private sale, on behalf of an employee called Dean. When the customer asked for his surname, he says Lloyd looked at a paint chart before replying "Dean Cobalt". But when X-Ray asked him about this on the phone, Lloyd admitted he鈥檇 made it up.

Earlier this month Paul Lloyd appeared in Swansea Crown Court and pleaded guilty to eleven breaches of consumer law. He was given a four month suspended sentence and was ordered to pay more than 拢41,000 in compensation and costs.

Paul Lloyd told X-Ray that he has many satisfied customers. He says he deeply regrets any wrongdoing and says the offences he pleaded guilty to in court happened when the company was in its infancy 鈥� but he didn鈥檛 explain why he lied to a very recent customer about the name of the person selling him a campervan.

Next week sees the biggest shakeup of pensions for decades.听

From 6th April, many over 55s with private pensions will have unrestricted access to their pension pots for the first time. Instead of having to buy an annuity to provide you with a regular income, you can withdraw your money and spend it or invest it in whatever you like.
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However, this new found freedom also brings dangers. X-Ray has previously featured stories from viewers who鈥檝e been persuaded to invest their valuable pension funds in questionable schemes.听
We鈥檝e also heard of cases of retired miners in the Rhondda valleys who have been targeted by conmen trying to get their hands on their cash.

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Alun Thomas from Citizens Advice Cymru says there are warning signs to look out for:

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路听听听听听听听 Say 鈥楴o鈥� to cold callers, whether it鈥檚 on the phone or a knock on the door. It鈥檚 always better to take your time and carry out your own research into reputable companies.

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路听听听听听听听 Remember that you cannot access your pension fund before the age of 55, except for certain circumstances such as serious illness. Anyone telling you otherwise is probably trying to scam you!

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路听听听听听听听 If someone is offering a 鈥榰nique investment opportunity鈥� and offers a quick high return say NO. Fraudsters often place pressure to get people to sign contracts quickly. Don鈥檛 sign anything under pressure and make sure you check the company out.

If you want to get advice on your options, Citizen Advice Cymru has been appointed by the Treasury to give free face to face impartial guidance.听

Call the Pension Wise contact centre on 0300 330 1001 to arrange an appointment in a location of your choice.听

You can also call in to any bureau in Wales to make an appointment to see someone after April 7th.

If you prefer to seek help over the phone call The Pension Advisory service on 0300 123 1047 or for more information

You can also find more information on the听听听