How A Contractor Scammed Hinsdale Resident: Cops

HINSDALE, IL – A contractor made himself scarce recently after accepting a down payment from a Hinsdale resident, local police said.

Patch obtained the police report through a public records request.

In May, a resident in the 900 block of South Madison Street got information on the contractor, AMP Remodeling, from Menards, the report said. She wanted the company to repaint her cabinets.

The resident submitted a $275 down payment, which was part of a $1,200 contract, police said. The contractor removed the cabinet doors, but has not returned all of them and kept the hinges and paint, according to the report.

The contractor rented a paint sprayer from Home Depot using the resident's credit card, according to the report. After using the sprayer for the day, the contractor took it home and kept it for another day, causing additional charges of $188, police said.

When he did not show up again, the resident called the contractor, who promised to be there the next day. He never returned, police said.

He then blocked the resident's number to prevent her from contacting him, the report said.

The resident asked the police to call the contractor. However, an officer found the contractor's phone did not accept incoming calls. The officer then texted the contractor.

Patch could find no contact information for AMP Remodeling in Illinois.

However, an internet search turned up a website devoted to telling the public not to hire a business named AMP Remodeling in Ohio.