Interior Design Scam: $23,000 stolen

In December 2014, my son, Alex and I engaged Gillian Shenon as an interior designer for Alex’s home in San Francisco. Between January 2015 and October 2015, we wired Gillian $28,260.94 for design services, of which, approximately $23,000.00 was to be used to purchase a Restoration Hardware sectional couch, coffee table, floor lamps, a hall table, lighting and custom mirrors for bookshelves for Alex’s home.

Gillian took our money but never purchased the furniture.  Gillian admitted that she had used our funds for other projects and personal expenses. While she promised to return our money, she never did, always citing some personal tragedy.  Unfortunately, Gillian’s insolvency and the costs of legal action did not make it practical for us to sue her in Civil Court.  This was an extremely hurtful experience that we want to prevent from happening to other of Gillian’s potential victims.

— Ms. Barbara Roux