Home improvement scams on the rise

News

Discussion

June 27, 2008

FRANK DENZLER The Rushville Republican Fri Jun 27, 2008, 11:53 AM EDT

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.

Text Only

News

Air Evac leaving Rushville base
Nearly four years to the day that Air Evac Lifeteam began operation from a Rushville base, the medical air transport operation will leave our community.

February 9, 2012
Teams sought for 2012 Relay for Life
Nearly a month after the annual kick off and three weeks before the first scheduled team captain meeting (March 1), local organizers are still hoping to expand the number of participants in this year's local Relay for Life.

February 9, 2012
Boys and girls basketball sign-ups underway
Sign-ups for the Boys & Girls Club of Rush County boys and girls ages five through second grade basketball will run through Feb. 29. These leagues will run the five Saturdays in March.

February 9, 2012
Youth in Philanthropy fund grant application deadline
Garry Cooley, executive eirector of the Rush County Community Foundation, has announced that the grant application deadline for the Youth in Philanthropy Fund is 4 p.m. March 1.

February 8, 2012
Lady Lions eliminate Lady Knights
The goal in the tournament is to advance and that is what the Lady Lions did Tuesday at Batesville with a 53-50 victory over South Dearborn.

February 8, 2012
The wonders of wood
Outside the wood shop door on Wednesday afternoons, kids at the Boys & Girls Club of Rush County line up for their turn inside the room where planks of wood become boxes, benches and shelves between 4 and 6 p.m.

February 8, 2012 1 Photo
Statehouse action resumes after Super Bowl break
After a time-out to accommodate out-of-town Super Bowl visitors, the Indiana General Assembly is back in session to tackle legislation that had been bottlenecked by a contentious labor bill.

February 8, 2012
Rice is Herman Freed Award recipient
Rush County Sheriff's Department deputy Alan Rice recently graduated from the Indiana law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) in Plainfield.

February 7, 2012 1 Photo
Waggener pool accepting applications
Waggener Community Pool is accepting applications at this time for summer employment.

February 6, 2012
SLIDESHOW: Giants beat Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI The New York Giants won their fourth NFL championship Sunday in Indianapolis, scoring in the final minute to defeat New England 21-17.
February 6, 2012 1 Photo
More News Headlines

News

Search Results

Discussion

Home improvement scams on the rise

Site Map

Contact Us