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Scams and Scalawags
Fraud operators follow the sun to scam | |
| By Leonard J. Hansen | |
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The earnest-appearing workman stands at your door: "We’re a roof repair company and completed a job early just two blocks away. We yet have time to inspect your roof for leaks or problems before the rainy (or snow) season starts. We’ll make you a bargain offer to do the inspection and, if necessary, the work so we can fill out the day." Sound reasonable? To thousands of mature adults the offer seemed quite acceptable, and in their agreement became instant victims of fraud. First, there is no job two blocks away; this is the scam played door-to-door all day. If you agree to the inspection, it will take a few minutes, after which they will return, stating that there are several problems which they can repair immediately. The workers will re-mount the roof and will definitely not repair any problems, even if there are some. On their return, they will announce that the roof-saving work regularly prices at $4,000, but they have done it for $1,500 or $2,000. But they need immediate cash payment. They will offer to escort you to the bank to withdraw the cash. The roof has not been repaired; and you have been swindled in one of the oldest continuing con games in the nation. The roof repair scheme is being practiced now wherever the sun is shining. This means that in August the scalawags may be working the Midwest or Eastern states; but in December they’ll be plying their scam in Arizona or the South and not Minnesota. Typically, the perpetrators of roof repair fraud drive late model pickup trucks with out-of-state license plates. They will not be licenced contractors within your state or any state. How do you avoid becoming a victim? If approached at the front door in any similar way cited above, know that it is probably fraudulent. If, even after warning above, you are considering the offer, ask for their state contractor’s license and, if they present such, close and lock the door and call local authorities to check its accuracy. It is best that you immediately decline the offer and close the door; then call the police to advise that you believe you’ve been approached on a possible roof repair scam. You don’t have to play detective; the authorities can move quickly to the neighborhood on this kind of tip to catch the scalawags actually perpetrating the fraud. If you believe your home roof may need inspection or repair, don’t deal with the caller at the door. Search out recommendations from friends, check the local Better Business Bureau asking if there are complaints lodged against the company(ies) you are considering. And check the state agency which licenses contractors, asking the same question. The MO - modus operandi - of the roof repair fraud hasn’t changed in 50 years and it continues to work everywhere in the nation. Re-read and learn the text above, and never agree to such a pitch at your front door to avoid being a sucker in the ever-growing business of fraud. |
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