Fraud Alert: Roofing Scams Raise Red Flags for Manufactured Homeowners
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents, particularly those in mobile home parks, to beware of con artists preying on homeowners with a “warranty” roofing scam.
The Sheriff’s Office Fraud Line has received several calls this week
from seniors who have been contacted by phone regarding the “inspection”
of their metal roofs. The scam goes like this:
Each of the residents who contacted the Sheriff’s Office had work done or new roofs
installed on their manufactured homes within the last year by the same legitimate
roofing company based outside of Lee County. The “scammer” states that he is
representing the roofing company and that in accordance with the owner’s warranty,
an annual inspection must be conducted. When the “scammer arrives, he tells the
homeowner that repair work needs to be done. Mistakenly believing they are dealing
with the legitimate roofing company, some owners have allowed unnecessary repairs
on their homes. Unfortunately, payment was made for work that most likely would
have been covered under the homeowner’s existing maintenance agreement.
The Sheriff’s Office offers these tips to follow prior to having any work done on your
home – manufactured or not – :
*If you have an existing warranty, contact the number on your paperwork to confirm
that you are dealing with the company who holds the warranty.
*Get multiple estimates.
*Before signing anything, always ensure a state-licensed contractor is doing the
work. Verify licensure and check complaints with the Department of Business and
Professional Regulation at www.MyFloridalicense.com or call 850-487-1395.
*Request the contractor’s certificate of insurance for workers’ compensation and
general liability coverage.
*NEVER give final payment until the work is complete.
*Never let anyone you don’t know come into your home to sign papers or use the restroom.
Conduct your business outside if you can.
If you have been a victim of a scam or have questions about scams or fraud, please
contact the Sheriff’s Office Fraud Line at 239-477-1242.
Media inquires should be directed to the Fraud Line Specialist at (239) 477-1037.
For assistance call the Sheriff’s Office Fraud Line: 239-477-1242
CASE, Communities Against Senior Exploitation,
is a Partnership of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office
and the Community to Prevent Elder Financial