Medford Police Warn About Home Improvement Scam

MEDFORD, MA – Medford Police said they have been receiving an increasing number of calls about a home improvement scam targeting vulnerable Medford community members.

Now, police are warning not to fall for it.

Police said a scam contractor recently knocked on the door of a senior Medford resident, saying there was a crack in his home’s foundation that could cause a water leak into the basement and offered to fix it.

While inside, police said the scammer intentionally sprayed water on the wall to make it appear as though there were an actual leak. The concerned senior agreed to the work and drove away with the scammer to the bank, where he withdrew a large sum of money that the scammer took.

Medford Police shared a list of tips for community members to use to protect themselves from home improvement scams:

• Consider only contractors who are licensed and insured
• Get recommendations for contractors from people you know and trust
• Reputable contractors will not solicit work door-to-door or drive you to the bank
• Research the contractor on bbb.org or through OCABR on mass.gov and always read reviews closely
• Get multiple estimates in writing that include a description of the work, materials needed, completion date and price
• Read contracts carefully and do not sign if there are blank spaces or details you don’t understand
• Do not be pressured into making quick decisions