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Attorney
General Mike DeWine
Ohioans warned
of Traveling Scam Artists
(COLUMBUS, Ohio) — Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine is warning Ohioans
to watch for traveling scam artists offering roof repair, driveway
paving and sealing, and tree trimming.
"We've received at least one report of suspected travelers in Clinton
County," Attorney General DeWine said. "With just a few weeks of summer
left, we don't want to take any chances. We're warning all Ohioans to
be skeptical of anyone who shows up unexpectedly offering home repairs."
"Travelers," as they're known by law enforcement, are professional con
artists who typically make their way through Ohio and other northern
states during the summer months. They provide a verbal estimate to pave
driveways or repair roofs for a very low price, but they intentionally
deceive homeowners by charging a lot more money in the end and do
extremely shoddy work.
Travelers often target middle-class homeowners, especially those over
age 60. Travelers generally dress professionally, speak politely, and
drive well-maintained vehicles, which gives homeowners the false
impression that they are trustworthy.
In many cases, travelers lie to homeowners, telling them their driveway
or roof needs to be repaired. They often tell homeowners that they just
finished paving their neighbor's driveway and have asphalt left over
that they are willing to sell for a very low price. Afterwards, they
demand a much higher payment and the asphalt ends up cracking or
failing to set properly, leaving the homeowner's driveway a gooey mess.
Other times, travelers "seal" a driveway or roof with a useless mixture
of diesel oil and paint that will wash off in the rain.
Some travelers revisit their previous victims weeks later to offer
phony follow-up repairs or more seal-coating. Again, the work is
completely substandard, even if the victim does not realize it at the
time.
Homeowners can protect themselves by learning to recognize the signs of
a traveler, including contractors who:
Come to their door uninvited
Notice a problem with their roof or driveway
Say they have leftover materials from a neighbor's job
Offer unbelievably low prices
Accept cash or check only
Promise an unconditional guarantee on the work
Start work immediately
Take only 30 minutes to an hour to finish the job
Consumers also should check a company's reputation with the Ohio
Attorney General's Office and the Better Business Bureau before paying
any money. For most door-to-door sales, businesses must give consumers
a three-day right to cancel their contracts and they cannot begin the
work until the three-day cancellation period has ended.
Consumers who suspect a traveler scam should report it to local law
enforcement and to the Ohio Attorney General's Office at
www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov or by calling 800-282-0515.
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