Barnegat Police: Scammers Going Door To Door Telling Residents They Need Roof Repairs

If someone knocks on your door and tells you that you need a new roof, ignore them and shut the door.

Barnegat Township police are advising residents that out-of-state contractors have been going door to door in town telling homeowners they need a new roof because of damage from a recent hailstorm, according to the police department's Facebook page.

"This is most likely not the case," the post states."Make sure the contractor is N.J. State Licensed and has a permit to solicit within Barnegat Township.

The Ocean County Department of Consumer Affairs has put together a list about possible contractor scams.

Here are some of them:

Avoid transient home repair contractors. If you hire a contractor, make sure you get a registration number, name, street address, phone number, license plate number and vehicle description. If a problem does occur, this information will be helpful to law enforcement agencies.

Look for red flags. Be wary if the contractor:

• asks for more than a third of the total payment before work can begin.

• demands cash.

• tells you there is no need for a written contract. (Written contracts are required for projects costing $500 or more. We recommend you get a written contract for all projects.)

• only has a P.O. Box as his/her business address.

• does not have a Division of Consumer Affairs registration number unless he/she is exempt from registration requirements.

• approaches you (when you haven’t sought him out) claiming he was just in the neighborhood and can give you a good deal.