A.G. Schneiderman Releases Tips To Protect Consumers From Summer Scams
Schneiderman Urges New Yorkers To Report Scams To The A.G.’s Consumer Hotline At: 1-800-771-7755
Among the most common summer scams are those related to unsolicited home improvement projects, including paint jobs and weatherproofing. Vacation rental and timeshare fraud are also common scams that target consumers in the summer months. Attorney General Schneiderman urged consumers who believe they have been victimized by a summer scam to contact the Attorney General's Consumer Complaint Hotline at: 800-771-7755 or online at: ag.ny.gov. Below is the Attorney General’s guide to protecting New Yorkers from summer scams, it is also available online here. HOME IMPROVEMENT SCAMS The Drive-Bys "I'm painting a house (or a barn or a garage) in the neighborhood. I am paving a driveway (or patching a roof) around the corner. I have material left over and can do yours for next to nothing." Too often this kind of offer results in a watered down stain instead of paint, inferior shingles on half the roof, and a thin smear of blacktop on the driveway. These scammers typically demand a payment upfront and, if they actually finish the job, it probably won't last through the next rainstorm. Their guarantee? Good luck finding them. "I was passing by and noticed you had some branches down…your trees really need a trim." Frequently, the branches are down because the scammer broke them off. If hired, they do work on "unexpected problems" that run up exorbitant charges. Too often, the scammers threaten consumers if the extra charges are disputed, and sometimes follow the owners to the bank for cash payments. Weatherproofing Scams: $15,000 Solutions to $150 Problems “Free Basement Inspections!” When a community has been hit by a series of rainstorms, you can bet the offers for "free basement inspections" will start rolling in. The answer? It's usually an expensive pump or excavating the foundation to waterproof, when the problem was really clogged gutters or a drain blocked by root growth. "Free Chimney Inspections!" Same thing. This money saving coupon will usually result in a recommendation for a new chimney or a "cleaning" that involves the sweep spreading soot around to make it look as though the work was done. Tips To Protect Yourself VACATION SCAMS Whether it's to escape the heat of summer or the chill of winter, everyone considers finding a good deal on a vacation a big win. Except when the good deal isn't so good. As consumers search the internet looking for a good price on a dream vacation, scammers are trolling for victims to make a quick buck. Here are some common vacation scams, and what you can do to make sure you're not caught in the net. Vacation Rental Scams The setup: It's just what you wanted! A cottage overlooking a quiet lake; a beachfront condo; an apartment in the heart of the city. The problem? It doesn't really exist. Especially prevalent on listing sites like Craigslist, consumers are drawn in by a great deal, they pay upfront and arrive to find that no such address exists. Tips To Protect Yourself Vacation Certificate Scams The set up: you buy a certificate entitling you to deep discounts on flights, hotels or other vacation opportunities. The problem? There are many. You are paying in advance for a vacation at an unspecified time. The companies frequently are out of business before you use the voucher, or there are so many restrictions that it is nearly impossible to make reservations. And, use of the certificates is often dependent upon using specific, high-priced facilities that negate any other savings, or the facilities are not the quality they claim to be. Tips To Protect Yourself Timeshares and Vacation Club Scams Although a timeshare or vacation club may be a legitimate enterprise, the marketing techniques frequently involve high pressure sales that trap people into long term financial commitments they can't afford and may not use. The set up: Firms offer free vacations if you agree to attend a presentation. Potential buyers are offered "discounts" if they sign up "right now" for a multi-year membership. The problem? The supposed discounts are frequently more expensive than regular offerings, the advantages and protections offered in the pitch are not the same as what's in the contract, and future costs and fees can escalate without notice. Tips To Protect Yourself If you believe you have been victimized by a summer scam, please contact the Attorney General’s Consumer Complaint Hotline at 800-771-7755, or online at www.ag.ny.gov.