August 4, 2015
Protect Yourself from Home Repair Scams
By Cpl. Hank Jacobsen
Davenport Police Department
It is that time of year again. With heavy rains, leaking basements or roofs, and washed up blacktop driveways, some homeowners may face the need to make repairs. An uninvited person who is claiming they are a repairman, a contractor, or someone sent by your insurance agency may come to your door. This is a common sign of a home repair fraud or scam. This person may seem like a well-intentioned individual; claiming they have leftover material, and may play on the homeowner’s emotions stating the problem needs to be addressed immediately. Property owners need to prepare themselves prior to making any agreement or payment of any kind.
Here are some more tips to avoid home repair scams:
- Only hire licensed contractors/builders. Do not allow someone who comes to your door to work on your property.
- Get several quotes.
- Ask for a written contract that fully outlines the details of the job.
- Never sign a contract without reading it carefully or if it has blank lines to be filled in later.
- Never pay for work before it is completed.
- Please call “911” as soon as you realize you may be a victim a home repair scam/fraud.
Come and be educated. You can also help to educate others. Current scam education will give you power to not be a victim! TRIAD meets the fourth Wednesday of every month, 9:30 a.m. at CASI, 1035 W. Kimberly Road, Davenport, Iowa. For more information, please contact Kathy Horrell at CASI (563) 386-7477.
