TOLEDO, OH (Toledo News Now) - Summer is the time to get project done around your home, and scam artists know this. Toledo police exclusively talked to WTOL about how to protect yourself against a contractor scam that is common right now.
Police say Toledo has been hit by traveling scam contractors.
“You need to be very cautious of people who come to you,” said Toledo Police Det. Tim Kaminski. “When people knock on your door or call you on the phone, those are the ones you need to watch out for.”
According to police, the scammers will talk their way into bogus jobs at your house and disappear with the money.
“They will come in neighborhoods and either go door to door or will see someone outside and say, ‘Hey, we were just doing the driveway down the street and have extra product left over. We can give you a sweet deal,'” Det. Kaminski explained. “They will asphalt a driveway and after the first or second rain, it will wash away.”
Driveway jobs are their biggest scam, police say, but there are other so-called contractors out there taking advantage of homeowners, as well.
“Always get a written contract and have the contractor specify a start and a completion date. Never pay up front, pay in stages or in thirds,” Kaminski said.
He says even if you find the contractor advertising in the paper, that doesn't mean they are legitimate. Get several estimates for a job, ask to see pictures and get referrals from the contractors. You should also get a permit for the work – it will cost you, but it guarantees the work will be checked by an inspector.
Police say the elderly are the biggest targets for these scams. If you have an elderly neighbor and see someone knocking on their door and talking to them at length, police suggest you go over and introduce yourself. That may be enough to scare the contractor away if they are a fraud.
