MELROSE — The Melrose Police Section is warning residents to beware of chimney sweep cons soon after two town residents were approached by would-be scammers not long ago.
Property improvement frauds this kind of as people which claim householders need to have chimney repairs, often prey on the elderly, in the beginning providing minimal rates for function, but then increasing the charges as the scammers assert to locate further get the job done that wants to be done. When house owners decline to fork out up entrance for significantly high-priced perform, the scammers usually vanish and depart work they started off unfinished.
The Melrose Law enforcement Department needs to share the subsequent suggestions concerning dwelling advancement contractor scams from the Office of Customer Affairs and Enterprise Regulation:
- Scammers normally approach likely victims for household advancement cons by cellphone, e-mail or by touring door-to-door, and may possibly assert they’ve been undertaking work regionally and have surplus product.
- Scammers frequently provide their expert services at a really minimal rate.
- Check to make certain the contractor is registered with the Office environment of Shopper Affairs and Business enterprise Regulation by working with their dwelling advancement contractor registration search up assistance. Request a business card or website address for the contractor’s small business.
- Be wary if the personal is driving an unmarked motor automobile.
- Ask for a copy of the company’s typical contract.
- Learn wherever the organization is based mostly out of, no matter if they are a community business enterprise and validate a minimum amount of three references.
- Inquire about no matter if the organization will provide a warranty and how prolonged that warranty will final.
- Remain cautious if a severe weather party has just transpired. Scammers generally get severe climate storms as an opportunity to target opportunity victims for home improvement cons.
- By no means pay out much more than one particular-third the whole value of a company upfront, in income, and only do so when you have confirmed that this human being is a registered dwelling improvement contractor and you have a contract.
- The Greater Company Bureau (BBB) can validate no matter if the organization is a member, and the BBB, as very well as the Office of the Legal professional Typical, can also inform you if there have been issues submitted in opposition to the corporation.
The Melrose Law enforcement Section is actively investigating these incidents. Any person who thinks these suspects are in their community or who has info about these incidents is inspired to get hold of the Melrose Law enforcement Section at 781-665-1212.
