The arrival of warmer weather brings with it an increase in the number of those individuals who prey on unsuspecting homeowners.
According to local, county and state law enforcement agencies, this is the time of year that rural home owners are frequently targeted by individuals trying to run a home improvement scam.
According to county law enforcement officials, a number of cases in past years have involved the elderly who live in rural areas of the county.
In some cases the homeowners have signed what are deemed unconscionable contracts with the unscrupulous party, which the homeowners are led to believe are legally binding. The contracts often reflect exorbitant prices for the repair work to be done and, in many cases, the specified repairs are unnecessary.
Unconscionable contracts often call for a homeowner to pay for repairs which were either unnecessary, left uncompleted, or in some cases never started.
Often, in cases of this nature the home improvement provider (scam artist) attempts to defraud the homeowner by creating a false impression that repairs are needed.
The unsuspecting homeowner is asked to sign a contract stipulating the repairs in an attempt to lend authenticity to the scam, only to find out a short while later that the contract needs to be changed as additional repairs are needed and more money will be necessary to complete the job.
The scam frequently begins with someone visiting his or her home and offering to clean the chimney, pave the driveway or do remodeling work. The individual then frequently asks for money up front, before the task is even started, indicating that the “deposit” will be used for necessary supplies.
In many cases the victim feels intimidated and pressured to make a decision on the spot because they often live alone in a rural setting.
It should be noted that there are a number of reputable contractors in the county and surrounding area. Rarely do reputable companies approach a rural home unsolicited.
As a general rule of thumb, if home repairs are needed you should call the Rush County Chamber of Commerce or check the phone book to find the name of legitimate contractors.
Another means to procure a contractor is ask a friend or relative for a referral for someone they may have used in the past.
There is a big difference between home improvement fraud and a situation where the homeowner is simply not pleased with the outcome of a completed project.
If a contractor is behind schedule or if a homeowner simply doesn’t like the completed project that doesn’t necessarily constitute a situation involving fraud.
Cases of home improvement fraud are when there is intent on behalf of the provider or contractor ahead of time — such a charging $10,000 for $1,000 worth of work, or in cases of a contractor completing work that was not asked of them.
If you feel you have been a victim of home improvement fraud you should contact the Rush County Prosecutor’s office at (765) 932-2000, the Rush County Sheriff’s Department at (765) 932-2931 or the Rushville Police Department at (765) 932-3907.
Frank Denzler can be contacted at (765) 932-2222 ext. 106 or via e-mail at frank.denzler@cnhimedia.com. To add a comment to this story visit our Web site at www.rushvillerepublican.com.
News
Home improvement scams on the rise
- News
-
-
RCCF Education Fund Grants awarded
The Rush County Education Fund Grants Committee recently met to review grant applications for the 2012 grant cycle and to make their recommendations to the Rush County Community Foundation's Board of Directors.
-
Commissioners hear of feasibility study
The Rush County Commissioners met earlier this week and heard a report regarding a feasibility study currently underway regarding the city possibly running an ambulance service out of the Rushville Fire Department.
-
Pool open
Waggener Community Pool will be open from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday. The pool will be closed Monday and Tuesday and then open again Wednesday as was originally scheduled. Information: 932-7100.
-
Farmers Market
The Rush County Farmers and Artisans Market kicks off the 2012 season at 9 a.m. Saturday in the 100 block of East Third Street in downtown Rushville!
-
Good Samaritan recognized for heroic efforts
The lives of three complete strangers became intertwined the morning of Oct. 25, 2011.
-
Lion Project showing community pride
If you've been paying attention, you'll have noticed that new concrete lions are showing up all over town.
-
Waggener Pool opening Saturday and Sunday
In an update to this story, the City announced plans today to open Waggener Community Pool earlier than originally planned due to expected high temperatures over Memorial Weekend. Mayor Mike Pavey has asked that the pool be open this coming Saturday and Sunday. Hours will be noon to 6 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday. The pool will be closed on Monday for Memorial Day and Tuesday, and open again Wednesday, May 30, as was originally scheduled.
-
Why do young white women risk cancer to be tan?
A CDC report out this month found that nearly one in three white women aged 18 to 25 had used a tanning booth in the previous year. White women aged 18 to 21 went the most often, averaging 27.6 sessions per year—that’s over two sessions per month—while nearly 70 percent said they had gone at least 10 times in the last year.
-
Collision lands driver in Indy trauma center
A Milroy woman sustained serious injuries in a single vehicle accident on SR 244 west of Milroy that was reported shortly after 1 p.m. Monday.
-
Todd resigns
Bill Todd (center) is pictured during a recent meeting of the Rush County Commissioners at which he formally announced that he had turned in his resignation as the Rush County Area Plan Director. Todd has served in the capacity of APC director since 1998.
- More News Headlines
-
RCCF Education Fund Grants awarded
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
