Property Improvement Scammers Believed to be Working Area; Use Caution when Hiring out Work
By Julie Perine on January 23, 2018 via Connect-Bridgeport.com
With the tease of spring-like weather that has come our way, property owners are already thinking about home improvements. Those with less than good intentions are taking advantage of that and scamming homeowners.
According to Sgt. M.A. Kiddy of the West Virginia State Police, Bridgeport detachment, a group of men – up to four - are approaching homeowners, offering services to improve driveways – such as placing blacktop sealer on them – and after collecting money, perform a small amount of work, then flee.
Kiddy said the first report of such an instance was in the Good Hope area, where a homeowner paid $4,000 for the proposed services. The homeowner paid for the services by personal check, which was cashed immediately after the men left the property. The men in question were driving a white truck.
“I just want to head things off, hopefully before things get too bad,” he said. “We go through this every year and it still happens. We’re still in the early stages of any investigation proving anything in this case, but it’s still going to happen again. Someone will try.”
The home improvement scams generally concern blacktop/concrete/construction work.
“Someone shows up to do the job and at first, the work looks really good,” Kiddy said. “But when the concrete dries – it’s not really concrete, but rather a fine gravel – and when it dries, it’s just gravel.”
Homeowners, particularly the elderly, pay up to $3,000 or $4,000 for the work.
“I just wish people would understand,” Kiddy said. “I grew up in this area and most companies which do blacktop or concrete work don’t go door to door looking for business. People usually reach out to them if they want work done.”
Kiddy said always check out a company before hiring out such work. The Chamber of Commerce and the West Virginia Secretary of State’s office are recommended sources for confirming a business license, he said. Never pay the complete fee charged until a work project is completed and get anticipated work and expectations in writing in the form of a contract, if possible.
Those who have encountered a similar experience – or who have been scammed in any way – are encouraged to call a local law enforcement agency and report it.
