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David N. Kirkman
Task Force Alert Chair
Asst Attorney General
Consumer Protection
NC Department of
Justice
P.O. Box 629
Raleigh, NC 27602
919-716-6000

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North Carolina Division of Aging and Adult Services
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TO NC SENIOR CONSUMER FRAUD TASK FORCE MEMBERS

******Alert #277******

Senior Fraud Alert: NC - Based Home Repair Fraud Group Active

Below please find an alert that was issued this morning by Attorney General Roy Cooper. The home repair fraud ring in question was based in communities just east and north of Raleigh, but it operated throughout the state and as far north as Maryland. According to various law enforcement members of the Senior Fraud Task Force, several members of that home repair fraud ring have not mended their ways despite having to spend time in prison for their earlier misdeeds. They are also teaching younger individuals how to run the scams.

Many of these fraud artists’ recent scams can be found on pages 11 and 12 of the Senior Frauds booklet: http://www.ncdoj.gov/getdoc/bf89e24b-8c8d-4784-ad50-3d9ed2d0b6ed/Scams-and-Frauds-List-5-10.aspx. Recent losses reportedly range from $20,000 to over $100,000 per elderly home owner.

HOME REPAIR FRAUDSTERS BACK IN ACTION

Tuesday, August 09, 2011

Members of a home repair fraud ring broken up by law enforcement in the 1990’s are out of jail and appear to be back to their old tricks. The group was very active throughout North Carolina, scamming hundreds of elderly homeowners out of as much as $50,000 to $100,000 each for unnecessary repairs, before local, state, and federal law enforcement stopped them.

Unfortunately, our office has heard of two Raleigh homeowners who lost several thousand dollars to these fraudsters in recent weeks. Local authorities are investigating those incidents, and we’d like to prevent other consumers from becoming victims.

Telltale signs that a homeowner is being scammed by these criminals include:

  • Unmarked trucks frequently parked out front
  • Contractors who suddenly leave when a visitor comes over
  • Several screw-jacks mounted under the first floor of the home
  • Wooden 2” by 4” braces mounted between the attic floor and roof supports
  • New shingles on a roof that wasn’t showing any signs of damage, and
  • Thousands of dollars in checks made out to individual crew members.

If you or someone you know may be a victim of this home repair fraud ring, report it to local law enforcement and building code officials immediately. To file a complaint with our office, call 1-877-5-NO-SCAM toll-free within NC or visit www.ncdoj.gov.


******End of Alert******

Date: August 9, 2011

David N. Kirkman
Task Force Alerts Chair
Assistant Attorney General
Consumer Protection Division
Office of Attorney General Roy Cooper
114 West Edenton Street
9001 Mail Processing Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-9001
Tel. 919-716-6000
Fax 919-716-6050

 

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