A DRIVER lost almost $4,000 after a group of workers completed shoddy work in her garage and robbed her home.
Experts warn drivers and homeowners about workers offering their services by going door to door, sometimes overcharging for low-quality jobs.
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Lorraine Rehak and her mother were recently victims of one of these scams in their home in Palos Hills, southwest of Chicago, Illinois.
Rehak told local ABC affiliate WLS-TV that her mother was approached in September when workers offered to seal her driveway for just $99.
However, problems began quickly after they finished the job.
“He came to the door and told her it was $700, she said ‘no way,’ but ended up agreeing to pay about $300 in cash,” Rehak said of her mother.
Read more about driveway scams
She explained that when her mother went back into the house to get the money, the worker followed her into the house.
Rehak said he was able to see where they kept the money in a filing cabinet.
The next day, the workers reportedly returned home and stole $3,600.
“They knew exactly what time they would arrive the next day, it was 3:15 pm and my mother said she would leave at 3 pm,” Rehak told the outlet.
“At 3:15 p.m. they were home.”
That day, her mother’s roommate was inside the house when the money was stolen.
The roommate allegedly saw some of the workers inside the house and reported the incident to local police.
A few weeks later, the sealing work was already falling apart.
“Three weeks later, you can tell the effect is wearing off, it’s almost like they painted it,” Rehak told WLS-TV in October.
Rehak and her mother are not the only ones targeted by similar malicious scams.
“We are seeing an increasing number of door knockers,” Better Business Bureau President Steve Bernas told WLS-TV.
How to Avoid a Contractor Scam
Tips to avoid being scammed on a curb, curb or walkway job:
Just because someone shows up at your door wearing a reflective vest, hard hat, and work boots doesn’t mean they come from a reputable contracting company.
A scammer might say he could repave a driveway, walkway or sidewalk for a much cheaper price than the previous contractor told him, appealing to homeowners looking to save thousands on home repairs.
Before you write a check or pay cash for what seems like an offer that’s too good to be true, here are some tips to make sure it’s not a scam.
- Get three quotes from three different companies to see the variation in prices.
- Never pay in advance. A reputable company will not accept money upfront as prices vary depending on the job and complications can increase the price.
- Ask for a contractor’s license. In many states, if you ask to see the license, contractors are legally required to present it.
- Avoid door-to-door salespeople who say they are in the area working. They often take a deposit and never show up.
- Avoid paying by cashier’s check, cash or bank transfer. Paying by credit card is the easiest way to dispute if it is fraud.
- Keep communication in writing, such as email or text, to help protect you if things need to be handled legally and a police report is required.
- Don’t feel pressured to make an immediate decision. Sometimes scammers create a sense of urgency, but it’s important to take a step back and do some research.
Read more here.
There are two main warning signs that drivers and owners should look out for to avoid falling victim to the scam.
First, if workers ask to be paid in cash, Bernas said people should be careful when hiring them for work.
He advised that individuals should try to always pay by credit card.
People can also pay by check, however, he said it should only be made payable to one company and not a single person.
The second red flag is the lack of contract.
Bernas said all driveway work must have a specific contract that outlines the details of what work will be done and how much it will cost.
Rehak also advises people to go a step further and request a business card to verify their employment.
She also asked others not to allow any workers to enter their homes.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
