Rockland Family Scammed Of $90K, County Warns Of Crooked Contractors

ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY — A Rockland County family was recently scammed out of $90,000 in a contractor scam, and now County Executive Ed Day and Consumer Protection Director Kim Von Ronn are urging residents to be aware of crooked contractors scamming homeowners.

The victims gave the money to a person purporting to be a contractor who promised to renovate their yard while the family was away on vacation — but never did and has since disappeared, county officials said.

These types of scams are common, with an estimated 1 in 10 people falling victim nationwide. Some tactics home-improvement scammers use, according to the Federal Trade Commission:

• Scammers knock on your door looking for business because they are “in the area.”
• Scammers say they have materials left over from a previous job.
• Scammers pressure you for an immediate decision.
• Scammers ask you to pay for everything up front or only accept cash.
• Scammers ask you to get any required building permits.
• Scammers suggest you borrow money from a lender they know.

So far this year, local families have been scammed out of over $200,000, according to the county's Office of Consumer Protection.

“These individuals can often be hard to catch, and the money stolen harder to reclaim, which is why I stress to our families that prevention is key,” Day said in the warning. “A little amount of due diligence will go a long way to protecting yourself from falling victim.”

The New York Department of State offers advice for avoiding home improvement scams:

• Check for a license where required (these counties have licensing requirements for home improvement contractors: Nassau, New York City, Putnam, Rockland, Suffolk and Westchester)
• Ask for proof of insurance coverage (e.g. workers compensation, property, liability)
• Ask for local references and call the references to see if they were satisfied with the work. If possible, visually inspect examples of the contractor's work; do not rely on photographs provided by the contractor
• Get at least three written estimates, especially if the job is big
• Ask about experience and training
• Inquire whether the project requires a permit, and who is responsible for obtaining it. Consider double-checking with local authorities about whether a permit is required.
• Get a written contact. Under the law, contracts for jobs costing $500 or more must be in writing, but it's best to get a written contract in all cases. Make sure the contract includes:
  • The approximate start date and completion date of the work, including any contingencies that would change the completion date
  • A specific description of the work and materials, including brands, model numbers and other identifying information, along with the price
  • A requirement that the contractor will comply with all applicable laws, regulations and codes, and that no work will be done until the contractor has obtained all necessary permits.
  • Keep in mind that the law gives you three days to cancel a home improvement contract. Cancellation must be in writing and should be sent to the contractor by certified mail, return receipt requested

Von Ronn said customers should never pay until the job is complete.

“The benefits of contracting with a licensed vendor/contractor ensures a few things but first and foremost that the contractor is insured,” she 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.”

Complaints regarding terrible workmanship from unlicensed vendors or an unlicensed vendor scamming a consumer out of money for an uncompleted job can be investigated by the Office of Consumer Protection, resulting in bringing the responsible party to Criminal Court.

The Office of Consumer Protection also can impound vehicles in these scenarios thanks to Rockland County Local Law Chapter 286-21(H) which was sponsored by County Executive Ed Day during his time serving in the Rockland County Legislature.

If a conflict arises between the consumer and business, Consumer Protection can assist with the dispute and mediation process.

In 2023, the Rockland County Office of Consumer Protection investigated 617 complaints and returned $66,000 to homeowners.

Residents with questions or concerns can contact the Office of Consumer Protection at (845) 364-3901 or by email at [email protected].