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Powder Springs, GA Mayor Vaughn hosts workshop for homeowners to prevent contractor fraud
MEDIA RELEASE
Contact: Phae Howard
(678) 705-4455
Email: phae@ncphif.org
For Immediate Release
Powder Springs Mayor Sponsors Free Contractor Fraud Prevention Workshop
Homeowners in Powder Springs and surrounding communities are invited to attend a free “SmartPower” workshop on “How to Protect Yourself From Home Improvement, Home Repair, and Contractor Fraud.” The 2-hour workshop will be held on September 9, 2010 from 6:00pm to 8:00 pm, at The Coach George E. Ford Cultural Arts and Community Center of Powder Springs, 4181 Atlanta Street, Powder Springs, GA 30127. Powder Springs Mayor Patricia Vaughn will open the workshop which is provided by The National Center for the Prevention of Home Improvement Fraud (NCPHIF), and is free and open to the public. The workshop will help educate homeowners how to prevent being victimized by unscrupulous contractors and how to become their own quality control managers, when undergoing a home improvement or repair project. Those interested in attending and learning more should register at rsvp@ncphif.org, or call us at (678) 705-4455.
“Contractor fraud is on the rise,” says Phae Howard, Executive Director of NCPHIF. “Senior citizens, first time homebuyers, women, disaster/storm victims, low wealth and rural areas, and those who speak English as a second language, are especially vulnerable to contractor fraud. According to AARP, “Senior citizens are particularly vulnerable to home improvement fraud. Many are “too trusting” to resist contractor demands for upfront payment, which often leads to non-performance. And too, they are, most likely, not going to report they have been victimized.”
“Almost every day, when you turn on the local news, you hear about people who have been scammed by fraudulent contractors,” says Powder Springs Mayor Vaughn. “I hope Powder Springs citizens will take advantage of attending this free workshop in order to keep this from happening to them.”
NCPHIF believes that the only way to prevent these types of scams is through education. Their “SmartPower” workshops have been created to empower homeowners with the information they need to be “smart” about undertaking a project and working with a home improvement or home repair contractor. Workshops are led by subject matter experts who will help homeowners navigate through the process. Topics include: hiring a contractor, executing a contract, and handling the financial and legal aspects of completing your project.
The devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina illustrated how easy and prevalent contractor fraud is especially in catastrophic situations and among homeowners who are vulnerable to victimization. The state Attorney General saw an increase in complaints from contractor fraud, from about 150 a year prior to the storm to more than 6,000 in a two-year period. Those complaints led to more than 700 criminal investigations, 145 arrests and the issuance of an additional 56 arrest warrants.
Founded by Phae Howard, NCPHIF is focused on prevention through educational workshops, an informational website and eventually a nationwide database. For Phae, the fight to expose unscrupulous contractors, and educate homeowners is personal as well as professional. “My Grandmother was the first person I knew that was financially and emotionally victimized by a fraudulent contractor.” says Phae. “I don’t know how much money she lost, but the pain on her face will stay with me always. My goal is to keep others from experiencing that kind of pain.”
The National Insurance Crime Bureau reported that more than four times as many roof repair scams involving hailstorm damage were reported in the first quarter as were reported in the same period of 2008. “After a hailstorm or other disaster hits, predatory contractors take advantage of stressed-out and uninformed homeowners,” says Phae, “making them victims, twice.”
“SmartPower: Workshop Information“SmartPower” workshops are led by subject matter experts who will help homeowners navigate through the process. Lanard Cullins, a Housing and Community Development Expert and FEMA Disaster Inspector, will share tips on how to prevent becoming a victim.
“I believe it is a critically necessary service that NCPHIF is providing homeowners and I am proud to be a part of it.” says Cullins. “Every homeowner should attend.”
Other speakers include Lem Howard, an insurance agent, Kevin Veler, an attorney and Rod MacKenzie, a green fraud expert.
About NCPHIF: The National Center for the Prevention of Home Improvement Fraud is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. NCPHIF’s mission is to educate homeowners BEFORE they begin a home improvement or home repair project, to greatly reduce the chances of victimization from contractor fraud. Visit our website, www.ncphif.org for upcoming workshops.
