WASHINGTON — Spring brings many welcome events, like baseball and gardening. But it’s also the time for stuff we hate — like hay fever and home scammers.
“They knock on your door. They say they have a service,” said Corporal Rebecca Innocenti of the Montgomery County Police Department. “They’ll tell you they’re doing work for a neighbor, which is a lie.”
Innocenti says the usual practice is to quote a price they claim is good, but is usually way above the going rate — more so because the scammers seldom do the work they promise.
“Sometimes they’ll collect the deposit, they say they’ll return the next day to do the work and you never see them again. Sometimes they’ll take your money and perform inferior work that they’re not licensed to do. Often their work creates greater problems. And sometimes we have cases where these scammers actually personally cause damage to the home, then tells the homeowner that the homeowner needs a repair.”
Innocenti says watch out for people going door-to-door who claim to have extra materials from a nearby job. Also, watch out for those who are watching the clock.
“These scammers are really good at trying to persuade you to do the work immediately. They create a sense of urgency, trying to convince you that the work needs to be done now.”
When it comes to fighting back, Innocenti advises — slow down.
“Do your homework. Ask for recommendations from family, friends, neighbors. Get several estimates from companies. And also make sure that the company you’re going to be dealing with has a license to perform that type of work.”
One more tip: watch out not only for yourself, but for your family, friends and neighbors — especially the elderly. That, said Innocenti, has been especially evident this Spring.
“In 11 of the 12 cases we’ve had since March 1, the victim is 70 years old or older.”
