MIAMI VALLEY -- The Montgomery County Prosecutor's Office is warning residents to beware home improvement scams and spring approaches.
Prosecutor Mat Heck Jr. says home improvement scams can happen when a person or company is paid up front for work they may have no intention of doing. They may offer false promises and disappear without doing any work or after doing only a partial or poor job.
To avoid these scams:
⢠Always obtain at least three estimates.
⢠Get any agreement on work to be done and the price in writing.
⢠Check references.
⢠Donât hire someone who is down on their luck or looking for side jobs when you do not know them personally.
⢠Do not pay cash up front. Never give more than 1/3 of the cost as your down payment.
⢠Never finance through the contractor without getting comparison loan rates.
⢠Do not let the contractor rush your decision. Be wary of âtoday onlyâ prices.
⢠Check with the Better Business Bureau for comments or complaints about the contractor you are interested in.
⢠Beware of free home energy audits that come from companies other than your utility company.
Remember: Under Federal law, contractors who sell door-to-door are required to allow you to cancel within three business days prior to beginning any work.
For more information, call Kimberly Oliver, Supervising Attorney, Adult Protection Unit, or Ward Barrentine, Supervising Attorney, Fraud and Economic Crimes Unit, at 937-225-5757.
Prosecutor Mat Heck Jr. says home improvement scams can happen when a person or company is paid up front for work they may have no intention of doing. They may offer false promises and disappear without doing any work or after doing only a partial or poor job.
To avoid these scams:
⢠Always obtain at least three estimates.
⢠Get any agreement on work to be done and the price in writing.
⢠Check references.
⢠Donât hire someone who is down on their luck or looking for side jobs when you do not know them personally.
⢠Do not pay cash up front. Never give more than 1/3 of the cost as your down payment.
⢠Never finance through the contractor without getting comparison loan rates.
⢠Do not let the contractor rush your decision. Be wary of âtoday onlyâ prices.
⢠Check with the Better Business Bureau for comments or complaints about the contractor you are interested in.
⢠Beware of free home energy audits that come from companies other than your utility company.
Remember: Under Federal law, contractors who sell door-to-door are required to allow you to cancel within three business days prior to beginning any work.
For more information, call Kimberly Oliver, Supervising Attorney, Adult Protection Unit, or Ward Barrentine, Supervising Attorney, Fraud and Economic Crimes Unit, at 937-225-5757.
