Police Warn Of String Of Home Improvement Scams Across Area

BURLINGTON, MA — Burlington police warned residents Wednesday of a string of home improvement scams in the area. According to their release, four Burlington residents, as well as residents in several nearby towns, have been victimized by the scam. In the scam, men posing as contractors approach residents at home and offer to do home improvement work at low rates. The men "reportedly have an Irish accent."

They take a small upfront payment, and once they've begun, they say there are more jobs that need to be done, for which they raise their prices. "When the homeowner eventually refuses to pay any more money, the suspects leave the property and do not return," police said.

According to police, many victims have been elderly. In the last month, Burlington police logs contain at least two reports of failed attempts at this scam. In once case, the reporter said "his grandmother was almost scammed by a construction crew."

The scam has also been reported in Waltham, Bedford, Marlboro, Mansfield, Woburn, Dedham, Bedford and Lexington, according to Burlington Police Detective Jim Tigges.

"I can’t get too specific on the money loss but typically the loss tends to be around or exceeds $5000 for each victim," Tigges said.

Burlington police are actively investigating the scam and encourage anyone with information to call them at 781-272-1212.

The department also shared the following tips on home improvement scams from the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation:

• Scammers often approach potential victims for home improvement scams by phone, email or by traveling door-to-door, and may claim they've been performing work locally and have surplus material.
• Scammers frequently offer their services at a very low price.
• Check to make sure the contractor is registered with the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation by using their home improvement contractor registration look up service. Request a business card or website address for the contractor's business.
• Be wary if the individual is driving an unmarked motor vehicle.
• Request a copy of the company's standard contract.
• Learn where the company is based out of, whether they are a local business and verify a minimum of three references.
• Inquire about whether the company will provide a warranty and how long that warranty will last.
• Remain wary if a severe weather event has just occurred. Scammers often take severe weather storms as an opportunity to target potential victims for home improvement scams.
• Never pay more than one-third the total cost of a service upfront, in cash, and only do so once you have verified that this person is a registered home improvement contractor and you have a contract.
• The Better Business Bureau (BBB) can verify whether the company is a member, and the BBB, as well as the Office of the Attorney General, can also tell you if there have been complaints filed against the company.