Consumer & Retail · Fraud Guide
Home Repair / Contractor Scams
Also known as: Storm Chaser Scam, Driveway Scam, Roofing Scam
HIGH
Severity
$2,000–$20,000
Typical Loss
349
Articles in Archive
Who is targeted: Homeowners, especially older adults living alone. Scammers target neighborhoods after storms.
Home repair scams spike after natural disasters. FEMA and state attorneys general issue warnings after every major storm.
Phase 1 · Awareness
▼
A stranger at your door offering cheap repairs is almost never a good deal.
Someone knocks on your door offering to repair your roof, driveway, or foundation at a bargain price. They demand cash upfront, do shoddy work or none at all, and disappear.
Key signs:
⚠ Unsolicited door-to-door repair offers.
⚠ Full payment demanded upfront in cash.
⚠ No written contract.
How It Works
1
A contractor shows up unsolicited offering to inspect your home.
2
They claim to find serious problems needing immediate repair.
3
Special price offered — but only if you agree today. Cash upfront.
4
Work is shoddy, incomplete, or never started.
5
The contractor disappears and cannot be reached.
All Warning Signs
⚠ Unsolicited door-to-door repair offers.
⚠ Full payment demanded upfront in cash.
⚠ No written contract.
⚠ No local address, license, or insurance.
⚠ Pressure to decide immediately.
⚠ Arrived in an unmarked vehicle.
Phase 2 · Prevention
▼
Hiring contractors safely.
Never hire unsolicited contractors.
Reputable contractors don't knock on doors.
Get multiple written estimates from licensed contractors.
Check licenses through your state's contractor licensing board.
Never pay more than a small deposit upfront.
Standard is 10-30% deposit, balance upon completion.
Never hire unsolicited contractors.
Reputable contractors don't knock on doors.
Get multiple written estimates from licensed contractors.
Check licenses through your state's contractor licensing board.
Never pay more than a small deposit upfront.
Standard is 10-30% deposit, balance upon completion.
Get everything in writing.
Contract should specify work, materials, timeline, cost, and warranty.
Check references and reviews.
Call references. Check BBB, Angi, and Google Reviews.
Phase 3 · Detection
▼
Signs of a contractor scam.
Watch for:
🔍 Large payment made and work hasn't started.
🔍 Contractor keeps finding new 'problems' requiring more money.
🔍 Work quality is poor.
Immediate action:
→ Stop all additional payments.
All Warning Signals
🔍 Large payment made and work hasn't started.
🔍 Contractor keeps finding new 'problems' requiring more money.
🔍 Work quality is poor.
🔍 Can't reach the contractor by phone.
What To Do Right Now
→ Stop all additional payments.
→ Document everything.
→ Contact your state's contractor licensing board.
→ Have a licensed inspector evaluate the work.
→ Report at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
Phase 4 · Recovery
▼
Recovery after a contractor scam.
First steps:
→ File with your state attorney general.
→ Report to BBB.
→ Dispute credit card charges if applicable.
Financial Recovery
→ File with your state attorney general.
→ Report to BBB.
→ Dispute credit card charges if applicable.
→ Consult a consumer protection attorney.
→ File in small claims court.
Emotional Recovery
Having your home be the site of a scam feels like a violation.
You were targeted, often after a stressful event like a storm.
Contact the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-372-8311.
From the Archive
349 articles about home repair / contractor scams
Browse all articles → · Search within this category →
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