Buyer Beware Of Home Improvement Fraud

Broad & Liberty ran my piece on home improvement fraud.

You can read the piece via the link below or the below text:

Paul Davis: Buyer beware of home improvement fraud

The Darby Borough Police announced on July 18 that they arrested George Cook, 42, the owner and operator of GC’s Contracting.

He was charged with PA Title 73, Trade and Commerce 517B, Home Improvement Fraud, PA Title 18, Crimes Code 3921 (a) Theft by Unlawful Taking, and PA Title 18, Crimes Code 3925 (a) Receiving Stolen property.  

Several of his customers complained that he left them with unfinished work and did not return after taking their money. One unsatisfied customer quipped that George Cook should be called “George Crook.” 

Cook, who is also facing similar charges in Media and Upper Gwynedd, was released on bail.     

“I am troubled by the recent decision to issue low bail to a defendant who is already out on bail for a prior theft charge and now faces additional allegations,” Darby Borough Police Chief Joseph Gabe told reporters. “This individual has shown a pattern of disregard for the law, and there are victims who continue to be impacted by these crimes.”

Darby Police added in a statement, “We encouraged anyone who has done business with George Cook, operating under the business name of GC’s Contracting and have not received services for payment(s) to reach out to Darby Borough Police.

“You can call 9-1-1 and ask to speak to a Darby detective or email kcollins@darbtpd.org. If you live outside of Darby, you can contact your local police department.”         

According to the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office home improvement fraud occurs when:

·     A contractor intentionally provides false or misleading information to convince a consumer to enter into an agreement for home improvements.

·     A contractor receives payment and fails to provide the services or materials.

·     A contractor damages a person’s property in order to solicit an agreement for services or materials.

·     A contractor alters a contract or other documents without the consent of the consumer.

·     A contractor publishes false or deceptive advertisements.

·     A contractor misrepresents material as special-order material or misrepresents the cost of special-order material.

·     A contractor represents himself or herself as an employee of a governmental unit or public utility.

·     The contract must be in writing and include the contractor’s registration number.

·     The entire agreement between the contractor and the consumer including the date of the transaction.

·     The name, telephone number, and address of the contractor and subcontractors.

·     A description of the work to be performed including the approximate starting and completion dates of the project.

·     The total sales price due under contract.

·     The amount of any down payment plus any amount paid in advance for the purchase of special order materials.

·     The amount of liability insurance coverage maintained by the contractor.

·     The toll-free number maintained by the Bureau of Consumer Protection.

·     A notice of the consumer’s right to rescind the contract.

·     A home improvement contractor must provide you with a copy of the complete contract free of charge.

·     You have the right to rescind your home improvement contract without penalty within three business days of the signing date, except as provided under law for emergency situations.

·     A home improvement contract is not enforceable against a consumer if it does not include all of the information required by law.

·     A contractor may not demand or receive any payment for a home improvement before the home improvement contract is signed.

·     All contractors must display their official registration number on all contracts, estimates, proposals, and advertisements distributed within the Commonwealth.

·     To verify a contractor’s registration number, click here or call toll free 1-888-520-6680.

·     Contractors can include a description of the services they provide.

·     Contractors provide proof of insurance coverage at the time they apply for registration. You should check with the contractor to obtain verification that the insurance coverage is current at the time your contract is signed and the services are performed.

·     Contractors are required by law to provide certain background information in their application for registration. They must state whether they have been convicted of a criminal offense related to the following: (1) home improvement transactions, (2) fraud, (3) theft, (4) a crime of deception or (5) a crime involving fraudulent business practices. The applicant and its principals must also state whether they have ever filed a petition in bankruptcy. A further statement is required if the applicant has had a final civil judgment, related to a home improvement transaction, entered against it or against businesses in which the applicant held an interest. HICPA does not require disclosure of other types of crimes or civil actions.

·     To obtain more information about a contractor call us at 888-520-6680 or email us at hic@attorneygeneral.gov.

When it comes to home improvement work, one should do due diligence and check out the contractor before paying a down payment. 

It only took me a minute to consult the Pennsylvania Better Business Bureau (BBB) website and discover that GC’s Contracting was not an accredited business in construction services. That’s a red flag. 

Paul Davis, a Philadelphia writer and frequent contributor to Broad + Liberty, also contributes to Counterterrorism magazine and writes their online Threatcon column. His work has also appeared in the Washington Times, the Philadelphia Inquirer and Philadelphia Weekly. He can be reached at pauldavisoncrime.com  

Note: You can read my previous Broad & Liberty pieces via the link below:

 You searched for Paul Davis - Broad + Liberty