HOME IMPROVEMENT SCAMS

Now is the time to start thinking about home repairs. This alert serves as a reminder that this is the time of year when unscrupulous people come out of their winter retirement and start operating throughout the Union County area offering to do your repairs for a very minimal fee. These people share one common goal, to take your money and run. The con starts when one knocks on your door and offers to do repairs around your home. These repairs could be roof coating/repair, fixing a fallen fence, asphalt paving/driveway sealing, house/barn painting, tree pruning/landscaping, and termite/pest control, just to name a few. They offer to do the work and charge you less than what a reputable local company would charge you. The idea of paying less money is always a welcoming thought, but you must remember that doing business with someone that is just passing through can prove to be a disastrous decision.
After receiving a deposit, or the full amount, you’re told they are going to get the supplies and will return. Some take the money and never return. Those that do come back, usually provide extremely poor labor. For example: paint is watered down, paving material is applied very thin and will crumble and crack within a short time, insect spray is made up of nothing more than water and/or water and milk, roofing repair consists of spraying silver or black spray paint on the roof. These people have also been known to con their way into your homes on the pretense of using your phone, checking for leaks from the roof, etc. While inside your home, they look for valuables, easy items to pocket and/or your personal information. Some work in pairs. While one of them has your attention, the other is working their way through your home taking what isn’t theirs.
Always remember: There is no reason to ever let a stranger into your home. Don’t do business with door-to-door contractors.
• Take the time to actually call the Union Police Department if you are not sure of who really is at your door at (908) 851-5000.
• Township of Union NJ Police Department Detectives offers these tips:
• Request proof of registration with the state Division of Consumer Affairs; all contractors are required to register with the state, even if they are based outside the state.
• Request proof of commercial general liability insurance. The state requires insurance coverage for a minimum of $500,000.
• If they claim to be working in the area, ask for references.
All contractors are required to prominently display their registration number on advertisements, business documents, and place of business. New Jersey registered commercial vehicles must have the number displayed on the company vehicles. Any home improvement project for a purchase price exceeding $500 must be in writing.
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