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  Geebo 9:00 am on March 7, 2024 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: home repair scam, roof repair scam ( 2 ), Scams ( 1,354 )   

  Roofing scam targets seniors 

  

  By Greg Collier

  In the neighborhoods of Queens, New York, a disturbing trend is emerging. Home repair scammers are preying on vulnerable seniors. These heartless individuals masquerade as contractors offering essential repairs, only to vanish with thousands of dollars, leaving behind shattered trust and financial devastation.

  One such victim is an 80-year-old resident of Queens. On a seemingly ordinary day, a construction truck pulled up outside her home, marking the beginning of her ordeal. A persuasive man approached her door, claiming to be a contractor working on her neighbor’s roof. He alleged to have noticed issues with her own roof, offering a free estimate.

  In a moment of vulnerability, the victim, trusting the stranger’s words, allowed him to inspect her roof. Deceived by fabricated images of non-existent damage, she was coerced into believing urgent repairs were needed. Despite never experiencing leaks, fear gripped her, and she succumbed to the scammer’s convincing facade.

  The scammer, employing manipulative tactics, presented a contract and demanded a hefty down payment of $10,000, later reduced to $5,500 in cash. The following day, workers descended upon her home, dismantling her roof under false pretenses.

  As days passed, the scam unfolded. The scammers kept demanding more money, draining the victim of a staggering $31,000. It wasn’t until a vigilant bank employee intervened that the harsh reality dawned on her that she was a victim of fraud.

  When a stranger arrives at your doorstep claiming to be a contractor working on a neighbor’s house or offering leftover materials from a previous job, alarm bells should ring. These seemingly innocent encounters often serve as the initial ploy in a larger scheme to defraud unsuspecting homeowners. It’s crucial not to grant access to your property or roof to individuals employing such tactics, as they may intentionally cause damage to fabricate the need for repairs.

  Moreover, skepticism is warranted when confronted with claims of damage that you haven’t personally observed. Trusting solely in the words of strangers, especially when it comes to the integrity of your home, can lead to costly repercussions. Always rely on your own assessment and seek multiple opinions from reputable contractors before committing to any repairs.

  By exercising caution and refusing to be swayed by persuasive pitches, homeowners can effectively thwart attempts by scammers to exploit their trust and financial resources.

   

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  Geebo 9:00 am on January 31, 2024 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: contractors ( 9 ), fake check ( 47 ), home repair scam, overpayment scam ( 9 ), Scams ( 1,354 )   

  Contractors tricked by scammers into redoing homeowner’s driveway 

  

  By Greg Collier

  If you heard that a homeowner had their driveway worked on by contractors when they didn’t order any such work, you might assume the homeowner was the victim of a scam. Well, they were definitely a victim of a scam, but they were not the intended target.

  The homeowner from Denver had just listed their home for sale online. Typically, that can invite a number of scams in itself, such as scammers claiming they’re renting the home while the owner is trying to sell it. However, this time, something wholly unexpected happened.

  While monitoring their security camera at work, the homeowner observed contractors in their driveway. Concerned, they asked a neighbor to investigate. The contractors claimed they were there for a job ordered by someone named Gary, who allegedly bought the house and wanted the driveway redone. Fortunately, the homeowner’s intervention, with the help of the neighbor, prevented any damage as the contractors were convinced the job was not authorized and left.

  It is suspected that the contractors were targeted in the overpayment scam, commonly referred to as the fake check scam. In this scheme, a check exceeding the agreed-upon amount is provided for a purchase, and scammers request the overpayment to be returned before the victim or their bank discovers the check is fraudulent. This leaves the victim responsible for the full amount to their bank. In this instance, scammers are targeting homes that have been listed for sale that aren’t occupied.

  Business owners can take several steps to protect themselves from the overpayment or fake check scam. Before proceeding with any transaction, especially if it involves a check for an amount exceeding the agreed-upon price, verify the legitimacy of the buyer or client. Confirm their identity and the purpose of the transaction.

  Whenever possible, encourage or insist on using secure and traceable payment methods such as electronic funds transfer, credit cards, or certified checks. These methods offer more security than personal or business checks. Independently verify the authenticity of any checks received, especially if they seem unusually large or if there’s pressure to return a portion of the payment. Contact the issuing bank directly to confirm the validity of the check.

  Before releasing goods or providing services, wait for the check to fully clear. Just because a check is deposited doesn’t mean it has cleared, and it can take some time for banks to confirm its legitimacy.

  If something seems too good to be true or if a transaction feels suspicious, trust your instincts. It’s better to conduct additional checks or refuse a transaction than to fall victim to a scam.

  By implementing these precautionary measures and staying vigilant, business owners can reduce the risk of falling prey to scams like the overpayment or fake check scam.

   
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  Geebo 8:00 am on April 30, 2021 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: door to door scam ( 5 ), home repair scam, Michigan ( 7 ), Scams ( 1,354 )   

  It’s door-to-door scam season 

  

  By Greg Collier

  With the weather being warmer, scammers are starting to move from online scams to scams that come to your door. Many of these scams target older people who are home during the day especially if they live alone. One of the more popular scams is the home repair scam. In these instances, scammers will knock on your door and tell you that they have left over supplies from a job they just completed and will do repairs to your home for cheap. Typically, these jobs are shoddily done if anything is done at all after you pay. However, in at least one community, the scam starts out this way, but has a much more nefarious purpose.

  In the Southwest corner of Michigan, several communities have reported home repair scammers in their area. These scammers are said to travel in nondescript trucks with no company markings. Some vehicles are even said to have tinted windows. The men in the trucks will go up to the homes of elderly residents offering home repair services. They’ll then try to get the resident to come out of the house by showing parts of the outside of the house that could potentially need repairs. Meanwhile, the scammer has a partner who goes in through the unlocked door to steal items from inside the home. One victim had thousands of dollars in cash taken from inside their home.

  If someone approaches your door offering you services unsolicited, there’s a good chance they may be a scammer. Legitimate salesmen, as annoying as they might be, will leave product information and their business card if you’re interested. Scammers will try to pressure you into making a decision right there and then. One of the best ways to avoid these scammers is to not answer the door if you’re not expecting anyone. A better way is to have a camera doorbell installed. This way, you’ll be able to see and communicate with the person at your door without opening your home to them.

  If you have family that is older and possibly living alone, please let them know about this scam.