Scams and Rip Offs:

The Heat is On

Mother with daughtersScammers and hard core sales people know whom they want to target when it comes to getting you to hire them for your home improvement or home repair job.  They typically target storm and disaster victims, senior citizens, single moms, those living in low wealth communities, non-English speaking individuals, and women.

Why?  Because these individuals often feel intimidated by sales people, contractors, contracts, etc.  And that makes them vulnerable to the fast talker.

Here are a few things to know about tricky salespeople and contractors.

  • Salespeople have lots of tricks to make you think that the offer will vanish if you don’t make a quick decision. A good deal today will probably be a good deal tomorrow, so don’t be bullied into making a rash decision you may later regret.
  • Some home repair contractors will do just about anything to get into your living room to make a sales pitch. They know the chances are good you will make the purchase decision if they do. Watch out for in-home sales people.
  • Be wary of sales professionals who try to scare you into signing for repairs that they say are “urgent.” Before agreeing to any additional costly repairs, seek a second opinion. If you are in an urgent situation, call your insurance company to get their advice on whom you should call.