NY consumers, homeowners should watch out for con artists, scammers

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Consumers and homeowners beware: Con artists may be calling or texting you to charm or scare you out of your money.

In one recent scheme, a Nanuet family was scammed out of $90,000 by a contractor who promised to renovate their yard while the family went on vacation.

Scammers may offer you inexpensive roof and house repairs or driveway paving, internet offers of get-rich-quick opportunities, discount goods, or can’t-miss investments in stocks and cryptocurrency.

Or they may call with “special consumer offers” and ask for personal information like your Social Security number. Some warn that you could be arrested by agencies like the FBI or IRS or have your utilities cut off if you don’t send them money to pay bills or fines.

Some may pretend to be your desperate grandchildren asking for bail money.

Recently, scammers have targeted those summoned for jury duty, ordering them to send money via gift cards to avoid penalties.

People need to be aware, especially when being offered a deal that sounds too good to be true, consumer advocates and law enforcement officials said. When it doubt, call the authorities.

“Unfortunately, once you are scammed out of your money, it’s hard to get your money back,” said Kimberly Von Ronn, director of the Rockland County Office of Consumer Protection/Weights & Measures.

Some scammers put on a show

Some con artists show up and play the part (for a while). They’ll drive up in trucks — some with phony company names — and solicit homeowners at their front doors. Those offering roof repairs, paving and lawn services will often take down payments, start work, and then disappear with the homeowner’s money.

Von Ronn said at least nine such cons have happened so far this season in Rockland, scamming families out of more than $200,000.

She said these scammers have been dubbed gypsy fly-by-night operators, and that many speak with an Irish brogue.

“There’s a ring of people,” Von Ronn said. “Unfortunately law enforcement can’t figure out who the mastermind is. They operate here in Westchester and Bergen counties, the tri-state areas, and across the eastern seaboard.”

In addition to a Nanuet family losing $90,000 to a fake contractor, another family got ripped off for $55,000 on a supposed roofing job.

“Often they are sweet-talkers with high-pressure sales talk, saying they have extra materials from other jobs and offer a lower cost,” Von Ronn said. “They ask for a down payment but usually don’t sign a contract. They start the work and disappear with the work half-done and the people’s money.”

Scammers can be hard to catch and the money stolen hard to reclaim, Rockland Executive Ed Day said.

“A little amount of due diligence will go a long way to protecting yourself from falling victim,” he said.

Tips for consumers to avoid getting scammed

Rockland’s Consumer Protection offers the following tips:

Always gather at least three estimates when searching for home improvement contractors. When shopping or purchasing goods, particularly online, keep in mind that if one price is significantly lower than others, it’s probably a scam.

Don’t succumb to pressure: If you are being forced to make a decision immediately, without being afforded time to think about it, you’re likely being targeted by a scammer.

Be skeptical of unsolicited offers, like an unsolicited knock on your door, call, text, or email. Government entities, utility companies, and other reputable businesses will typically communicate with you via regular mail and will never demand payment of overdue fines/debt via Money Apps or Gift Cards.

Never pay the full cost until the job is complete.

Utilize a licensed contractor.

“The benefits of contracting with a licensed vendor/contractor ensures a few things but first and foremost that the contractor is insured,” Von Ronn said. “Without appropriate and adequate insurance coverage, if the contractor or their employee gets injured when working on a home, the homeowner can be responsible for damage or injury.”

Ask for contracts, avoid high down payments

Also keep in mind these rules:

Every home improvement project over $250 requires a written contract.
A down payment shall not exceed $1,000 or 15% of the contract price, whichever is less. Exceptions to this must be stated within the written contract and agreed upon.

Von Ronn, an attorney, became director in October 2023 after working as an assistant county attorney for the Rockland Law Department. She succeeded Jim Elcik, the director since January 2019.

Rockland’s Consumer Protection office investigated 617 complaints and returned $66,000 to the homeowner.

The U.S. Federal Commission offers insight and advice to consumers concerning Internet scams and what to know about cryptocurrency scams. The federal government has issued warnings about sextortion and telephone scams.

Jurors also targeted by scammers

The latest scam: going after jurors across the state. Rockland Commissioner of Jurors Sabrina Vargas-Greco said she received two calls from people who were contacted by someone impersonating an officer with the Sheriff’s Office and demanding $250 for missing jury duty.

The New York State Unified Court System has issued a warning to jurors.

While fines can be imposed by the court for missing jury service, those called to jury duty would not be notified by telephone, Vargas-Greco said. A juror would never be asked to make payment over the phone or through payment apps like Apple Pay, PayPal, Venmo, or Zelle for jury-related fines, she said.

“Should anyone be contacted with such a request, they should hang up and report it to law enforcement and to the Commissioner of Jurors’ office immediately,” Vargas-Greco said.

Steve Lieberman covers government, breaking news, courts, police, and investigations. Reach him at slieberm@lohud.com Twitter: @lohudlegal

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