The suspect arranged a meeting at each home to offer an estimate using the business name of Mid-Florida Contracting. He collected a down payment, and the homeowners never saw the man -- nor their money - again.
I. Introduction: Home Improvement Scams of the Elderly.
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a. Numbers and amounts.
While more than $100 billion will be spent on home remodeling and repair this year, ($1 billion will be spent on scams), you should be aware that home remodeling contractors ranked just behind car salespeople and auto mechanics in generating the most consumer complaints, according to the Council of Better Business Bureaus.
b. INTRODUCE THE PROBLEM: Most common include roofing, driveway sealing, carpet shampooing, spraying the yard for weeds, Electrical and plumbing.
d. Define the problem.
1. Roofing and Chimney Repair: IN the fall, as winter approaches . . . .
UMMMM! well we din't figure shingles inta' estimate on your roof. And of course tar is extra.
THE ROOFING AND CHIMNEY REPAIRS SCAM.
This scam will be tried a lot in the spring due to the colder winter we have had. In these scenarios, the "contractor" will approach the homeowner with a story about how they were working down the street and noticed some ice and snow damage to the homeowner's roof or chimney. The "contractor" will appeal to the homeowner's worries about possible leaks from the roof or ice damage to their chimney, which could "fall down" if not fixed right now. The "contractor" will then quote a low price for the "minor" repair and either not do anything or do a small noticeable repair such as replacing a shingle. Once complete, the "contractor" will then ask for a much larger amount claiming the damage was more severe than expected.
In one popular scam, a "roofer" sends out representatives with flashlights to quickly shine them under the edge of roofs in a neighborhood. This is mostly for show, to convince those watching that they are inspecting the roofline, looking for telltale signs of decay.