Better Business Bureau alerts consumers that spring scams are in full bloom
As our long winter finally winds down and we usher in a new season, Spring scams are in the air.
This is the time of year with door-to-door fraudsters coming out of hibernation with a fresh season of ploys, including utility, home improvement, lawn and garden services, and storm chasing. We urge you to protect yourself from losing money, identity, and even confidence in the marketplace.
Con artists are inventive and bold. You might encounter scam attempts in person, via text or email; on the phone, or online, and the losses can be devastating. The most important rule on any door-to-door encounter is never to let anyone in your home. Unsolicited contacts are always a big red flag.
Home improvement scams climbed to No. 2 on BBB's list of scams posing the most significant risk to consumers in our annual BBB Scam Tracker Risk Report, with people losing more than $1,500 per incident.
Drywall, painting, plumbing, roofing, electric, HVAC service, and other home improvement projects have scam potential. Shoddy storm damage repair is another lucrative Spring con.
Warmer weather can usher in intense storms with high winds and heavy rains. Storm chasers drive into areas in the wake of significant damage and offer reasonable prices to get started immediately. But avoid the urge for immediate repair without doing your homework.
Many insurance companies want to have their adjusters look at and approve estimates and sometimes a list of contractors. So rushing to hire someone who claims to be approved or sent by insurance before you check could be a costly mistake.
When you need work done, always research prospective companies; a great place to start is with BBB.org to find businesses you can trust. Always take the opportunity to check on business ratings and reviews before you hire.
Some tipoffs to the rip-off include high-pressure sales tactics, upfront fees, and handshake deals. Con artists often will attempt to convince you that you need immediate repair and that they can do the job right now. Typically, they quote low prices, but if hired, they can vanish or keep finding "new problems" that raise the estimate and price.
We also recommend getting multiple estimates in writing. Before you hire a professional, ask for references from past customers and check them out. Bad contractors will be reluctant to share this information, and scammers won't wait for you to do your homework. Ask for the locations of a previous nearby job and inspect the contractor's work yourself.
Always get a written contract with the price, materials, and timeline detailed. Illinois law requires a written contract for all projects costing $1,000 or more.
It's essential to insist on arranging a fair payment schedule and never pay in total upfront. Stagger your payments so your final payment is due once the work is complete and you thoroughly inspect it.
Do not pay cash; make sure your check is written to a company, not an individual, and use a credit card whenever possible. Paying with a credit card will provide some recourse should the job not be completed, as stated in the contract.
Work with local businesses that have proper identification, licensing, and insurance. Confirm that your vendor will get related permits. Ensure you know who is responsible for what according to your local laws.
And one last thing. Please share information with friends, family and neighbors to help protect your community. Helping alert police and neighbors to scammers and sharing tips on making sure no one makes a hasty fast decision helps protect your community.
• Steve J. Bernas is President and CEO of the Better Business Bureau and can be reached at sbernas@chicago.bbb.org.