Beware of the Home Projects Scam! | AllClear ID

Allison here, with AllClear ID. Summer is the season of home improvements. After all, is there a better time to install that deck or swimming pool, or maybe get that driveway paved or the windows replaced before the in-laws arrive? There may not be a better time, but there are certainly better ways to get those jobs done than to accept an offer from a stranger at the door.

That is exactly how the home projects scam starts. Someone arrives at your door offering to pave your driveway or to build a new porch or deck, and they have just enough extra materials to make it happen just for you. It seems too good to be true, but if you?ve been planning on building that porch for some time, this might be the chance to get it done. Unfortunately, it?s a scam? don?t fall for it. Here?s what to look for in these home repair/home projects scams:

• They initiate the conversation ? If you didn?t contact a home repair company or a contractor to do this job, and someone suddenly shows up at your door or contacts you by telephone, then it?s probably a scam. Legitimate companies and contractors rarely find business in this manner, and never will offer anyone to do a project that he/she didn?t ask for.
• They Have Leftover Materials ? Legitimate companies and contractors rarely, if ever, have leftover materials. They are very careful about that. Even if they did, would they really just offer it on a brand new job? Why not take it to another job that?s already been started, or to someone who?s already paid to have something done? It?s probably a scam to get you to allow them to do the work.
• They Say They Can Do It Cheaper than Most ? First of all, if you haven?t yet done your homework on how much it would cost to pave your driveway or to get your windows replaced, how would you know this person can do it cheaper? Second of all, would you really want your swimming pool installed, or any other home repair project, completed by the lowest bidder? Like many things in life, you get what you pay for in home improvement.
• They Want You to Pay in Full, and Upfront ? Legitimate companies and contractors don?t work that way. There are plenty of unforeseen costs in home repair, and it?s definitely fishy to pay in full for something that isn?t even done yet. Essentially, it?s the scammer?s way of getting your money, and you may get the work done in return.
• They Say Insurance Will Cover It ? How could this person possibly know this? They don?t know who your insurance provider is, what kind of policy you have, or even if you have insurance. It?s another way for the scammer to try and get the money right then and there, but assuring that the insurance provider will cover the payment later on. Only you know what you?re insurance will cover.
• They Offer a Free Inspection ? This is a tactic that?s meant to have the victim let their guard down, so the scammer can go into the house, take a look, and suggest that X, Y, and Z need to be repaired. The victim is then more likely to give the scammer money for the repairs, only then to have the scammer disappear for good. Again, if you didn?t ask a company or a contractor for an inspection, then it?s probably a scam.

Overall, the best way to avoid these home repair scams is to do your homework about the home repair companies and contractors in your area. That way, you can know who?s legitimate and who?s not, and you?ll be armed with the information necessary to prevent you for falling for one of these scams.

Source: https://www.allclearid.com/blog/home-projects-scam

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