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  • Geebo 9:00 am on November 18, 2025 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , home remodeling, , , ,   

    Caught in the Home Repair Contractor Scam 

    Caught in the Home Repair Contractor Scam

    By Greg Collier

    From roofing to air conditioning, home service scams are costing homeowners millions. Here’s how to spot the red flags before you open your door or your wallet.

    The Knock That Costs You Thousands:

    It starts with a friendly knock at the door. A contractor says they were “working in the neighborhood” and noticed your roof, driveway, or air conditioning unit looks like it needs urgent repair. They offer a free inspection or a big discount if you hire them on the spot.

    You agree. They ask for a deposit, maybe even half up front, and promise to return the next day with materials and a crew.

    They never come back.

    This simple scam has resurfaced across the U.S. in 2025, fueled by housing demand, extreme weather events, and online ads that make fake contractors look legitimate. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and local Better Business Bureaus are warning homeowners to be cautious of what’s now called the “pop-up home repair scam.”

    What’s Going On:

    1. The Bait: Scammers go door-to-door or post professional-looking ads online offering quick home repair or cleaning services (roofing, HVAC, landscaping, driveway sealing, etc.).
    2. They claim your home has urgent issues that need immediate attention—often citing storm damage, city violations, or “aging systems.”
    3. The Deposit: You’re asked to pay in cash or through a payment app to “lock in today’s price.”
    4. The Disappearance: After collecting money, they either vanish or perform shoddy, incomplete work using cheap materials.
    5. The Aftermath: Victims are left with damaged property, voided insurance claims, and no legal recourse because the contractor was never licensed.

    In Florida, Arizona, and California, police have arrested groups of traveling scammers posing as roofing and driveway specialists, stealing thousands per victim through fake contracts and deposits.

    Why It Works:

    • Trust and urgency: Homeowners fear costly damage and feel pressure to act fast.
    • Professional appearance: Fake contractors use real company logos, uniforms, and polished websites to appear credible.
    • Localized targeting: Scammers often strike after storms or during heatwaves, using neighborhood data and satellite images to appear “familiar.”
    • Hard-to-trace payments: Cash, Venmo, or Zelle payments make recovery almost impossible.

    Red Flags:

    • Unsolicited contractors showing up without an appointment or claiming, “We’re working nearby.”
    • Demands for large deposits before any written estimate or contract.
    • Offers that expire “today only.”
    • Refusal to show proof of licensing, insurance, or local references.
    • Out-of-state license plates or unmarked vehicles.
    • Pressure to pay in cash or peer-to-peer apps rather than through a business account.

    Quick Tip: Before hiring, look up the company name and the contractor’s license number on your state’s licensing board or the Better Business Bureau website. If they can’t provide it immediately, walk away.

    What You Can Do:

    • Get multiple estimates. Compare quotes and timelines from at least three contractors.
    • Insist on a contract. Written agreements should include the company name, license number, timeline, and payment schedule.
    • Never pay in full upfront. Reputable contractors typically ask for a small deposit (10–20%), with the balance due after work completion.
    • Check reviews. Use Google, Yelp, and your state’s contractor board to confirm legitimacy.
    • Ask for ID and licensing. Verify that the person on-site matches the business listed on the estimate.
    • Be wary of “storm chasers.” After natural disasters, scammers flood neighborhoods pretending to offer relief or insurance repair work.

    If You’ve Been Targeted:

    1. Stop all contact with the scammer and report the incident to your local police or consumer protection office.
    2. File a complaint with the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and your state contractor licensing board.
    3. Contact your bank or payment app provider to dispute any payments if possible.
    4. Warn neighbors—many of these scammers target entire neighborhoods at once.
    5. If personal or financial data was shared, monitor your credit and consider a temporary credit freeze.

    Final Thoughts:

    In today’s economy, home service scams are evolving faster than ever. Fraudsters combine traditional door-to-door tactics with digital marketing to appear legitimate, professional, and local.

    The best defense is patience and verification. Real contractors don’t rush decisions or demand large cash deposits. If a deal feels off or “too convenient,” trust your gut—a quick call to your state’s contractor board can save you thousands of dollars and a lot of stress.

    A little research today keeps your home—and your wallet—safe tomorrow.

    Further Reading:

     

  • Geebo 8:00 am on October 28, 2024 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , dumpsters, home remodeling, , ,   

    Even a Dumpster Can Become a Tool for Fraud 

    Even a Dumpster Can Become a Tool for Fraud

    By Greg Collier

    In San Antonio, Texas, a new scam is taking shape, one that initially seems harmless but has serious financial consequences for unsuspecting consumers and businesses. The scheme revolves around something as seemingly innocuous as a dumpster rental. A service most people associate with home improvement, not fraud. Yet, this scam reveals how even the most mundane services can become avenues for financial deception.

    The scam preys on homeowners looking for affordable solutions for remodeling or debris removal. Online platforms like Facebook Marketplace or Nextdoor provide the setting, where criminals advertise low-cost dumpster rentals. Eager to secure a good deal, homeowners send payments through apps like Venmo, Zelle, or Cash App, unaware that the transaction is part of a more elaborate scam.

    The scammer, posing as a legitimate business, orders the dumpster from an actual rental company using stolen credit card information. When the company delivers the dumpster, the homeowner assumes everything is in order. This act of delivery adds a deceptive layer of trust, leading many victims to believe they are dealing with a legitimate service.

    The fraud doesn’t end with the dumpster’s arrival. Soon, the dumpster rental company realizes the payment it received through the stolen card has been reversed, leaving the business without compensation. Banks recover the funds for the cardholder, and the business is left holding the loss.

    The homeowner, who believed they had paid for the service, now faces the possibility of additional charges. They may either need to cover the unpaid balance to avoid further issues or deal with an unexpected dispute over the service they received.

    This scam highlights how criminals can weaponize ordinary services. A dumpster, often seen as just a tool for home projects, becomes an anchor for fraudulent activity, pulling multiple victims into the deception. The scam touches every link in the chain: the person whose card is stolen, the business losing revenue, and the homeowner who is left with a service that wasn’t properly paid for.

    What makes this scam particularly deceptive is the ease with which it unfolds. Payment apps like Venmo or Zelle allow quick transfers, and the physical delivery of the dumpster creates a convincing facade of legitimacy. Once the service is delivered, it becomes more challenging for victims to recognize the fraud in time to act. The scenario demonstrates how criminals adapt familiar tools, whether it’s a payment app or a dumpster, into schemes that are difficult to detect and resolve.

    Homeowners are advised to thoroughly verify the legitimacy of any service before making a payment, while companies must remain alert to suspicious transactions that could signal fraudulent behavior. Something as routine as a dumpster rental can become the core of an elaborate scam.

    As both individuals and businesses adapt to these emerging threats, proactive measures can help limit the damage caused by schemes that use everyday services as a vehicle for fraud.

     

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