HOME REPAIR SCAMS AND DISPUTES
Consumer advisory by Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller
Home repair scams work like this: Con-artists stop at your door, give you a hard
sell, and offer sensational low prices. It might be for roofing, painting, asphalting,
or cement work on your driveway. The con-artists insist that you pay in advance -
but they don't do the work, or they do minimal work and never return. Legitimate
contractors very rarely solicit door-to-door. The main rules are to check out a
contractor, and never pay large sums of money in advance.
YOU CAN ASK ANYONE TO LEAVE YOUR PROPERTY. Follow these tips to
protect yourself when you hire a contractor:
*Check out the contractor before you sign a contract or pay any money. Ask if
a contractor is registered with the Iowa Department of Labor (800-562-4692).
Check local references.
*Get it in writing. Before any work begins, agree on a written contract detailing
work to be done, responsibility for permits, costs, and any other promise.
Request a copy of the contractors liability insurance certificate. Put start and
completion dates in writing and consequences if the contractor fails to follow them.
*Never pay large sums of money in advance. If you have to make a partial
advance payment for materials, make your check out to a supplier and the
contractor. Insist on a "mechanics lien waiver" in case the contractor fails to
pay others for materials or labor. Be extremely cautious of financing offers from
a contractor, including second mortgages. Check first with your own lender
or attorney.
*Remember, in most cases, you have three business days to cancel a contract
signed at your home. (But contracts often contain a "liquidated damages"
clause, meaning you are liable for a percentage of the contract amount if the
contract is canceled after three business days.
For more information or to file a complaint, contact the Attorney General's Consumer
Protection Division, Des Moines, Iowa 50319. Call 515-281-5926.
VACATION AND HOME SECURITY
There are a number of steps you can take to protect your home and property while
you are away on a vacation or business trip:
*Ask a neighbor to collect your mail and newspapers daily. Or contact the post
office or newspaper to stop delivery while you are away. A build up of mail or
papers indicates the property owner is away.
*If you'll be gone for a long time, arrange for someone to mow the law, shovel
snow, rake leaves, etc.
*Make sure a family member, neighbor, or the police know when you'll be away
and how to reach you in an emergency. The Winnebago County Sheriff's Office
has a FARM CHECK PROGRAM for rural residents. Several of our local police
agencies also have such programs.
*Use timers to turn some lights on and off at certain times. Timers can also be
used with radios and televisions.
*Leave some window drapes, blinds, or shades open so the house won't look
vacant or unoccupied. Do this on the upstairs windows where no one can see in.
*Turn the ringer on our telephone to "low" or "off". This way a burglary won't
hear the phone ringing and realize no one is home.
IS THERE A METH LAB IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD
Many people may be unaware that they are living near a meth lab. In rural areas such
as Winnebago County, meth labs are springing up which are very difficult to detect.
Here are some things to look for:
*Unusual strong odors (like cat urine, ether, ammonia, acetone or other chemicals).
*Residences with windows blacked out.
*Renters who pay their landlords in cash. (Most drug dealers trade exclusively in
cash).
*Lots of traffic- people coming and going at unusual times. There may be little
traffic during the day, but at night activity increases dramatically.
*Excessive trash including large amounts of items such as antifreeze containers,
fuel cans, red stained coffee filters, drain cleaner and duct tape.
*Unusual amounts of clear glass containers being brought into the house.
If you suspect a meth lab in your neighborhood: Call the Crank Hotline at
1-888-664-4673
or contact your local law enforcement agency.
CREDIT CARDS, MAIL AND FRAUD
Only one-third of people who are victims of fraud or scams report them to police.
Report these criminals so they can't take advantage of someone else.
*Never give out personal information such as your social security, bank account,
or credit card numbers over the phone unless you initiate the call and know who
you are talking to.
*If someone tells you to place a 900 call to "win" something of value, think first
before paying for a 900 area code call. The cost of 900 area code calls can be
as high as $10.00 per minute.
*Be careful of contests, giveaways, sweepstakes, free vacation offers, cures for
illness or aging. Many are scams. Remember: If it "sounds too good to be true",
it probably is.
*Be careful about giving your credit card number over the phone, and never give
your PIN (Personal Identification Number) with your credit cards. Don't write
PIN numbers on your credit cards; memorize them instead.
*Never send cash through the mail. Send personal check or money order. Have
social security checks and pension checks deposited directly into your bank
account.
*When you send out mail with a check in it, drop it in a mailbox. If you must use
your own mailbox, place the envelope in it shortly before you mail carrier is due
to pick up mail. |