• 09
  • January
    2012

In an ideal world, people would be able to trust others and be able to take them at their word - unfortunately that is not the world we live in. Con-artists attempt to take advantage of unsuspecting victims on a daily basis with their deceptive business practices.

Arizona seniors are especially susceptible since many fraudsters see them as "easy prey." These scams can leave seniors penniless and often unable to pay their bills. Seniors in Arizona need to protect their assets and avoid falling prey to these scams.

One particular scam perpetrated on Arizona seniors is the "Home Repair Scam." This posting will be Part 1 of a multi-part series addressing various scams against seniors in Arizona.

Home Repair Scams in Arizona

The home repair scam often involves a contractor offering to do a home repair at a very low cost - often claiming they can do it on-the-cheap because they have material left over from an earlier project - but ultimately charges more after the project is completed. Also, many times these contractors will collect an advanced fee and never return to complete the job.

These types of scams are especially prevalent after severe storms, when the homeowner is already emotionally dealing with terrible damage. In these situations, the homeowner is given verbal quote and the contractor ends up completing additional work the homeowner never asked for - and then bills the homeowner thousands of dollars more than originally agreed upon.

How to avoid Home Repair Scams

The Arizona Attorney General offers various tips to avoid being scammed. These include:

  • Be cautious when a contractor arrives at your house unsolicited
  • Never pay for the whole job before it has been satisfactorily completed
  • Ask for a contract itemizing all work, costs and terms of payment
  • Make sure the contract is clear and your understand all of the terms
  • Make sure to obtain a warranty in writing
  • Obtain at least three estimate before deciding on the right contractor
  • Ask the contractor to see their state-issued license as it is illegal for a contractor to operate in Arizona without a license
  • Do not hire a contractor who does not have state-issued license
  • Check the contractor's license and complaints with the Arizona Registrar of Contractors. www.azroc.gov

If you believe you are the victim of a home repair scam, it may be a good idea to not only contact the Arizona Attorney General but also the Better Business Bureau. Moreover, an experienced attorney may be able to help you deal with unruly creditors if you have fallen behind on bills due to the fraud; or may even possibly assist in collecting your money lost from the unscrupulous contractors.