Home Repair / Contractor Scams

MyChart patient portals have experienced an uptick in phishing scams targeting approximately 190 million worldwide users, with fraudsters sending deceptive emails that direct patients to fake login pages to steal personal information and expose computers to malware. To combat this threat, LexisNexis Risk Solutions introduced Identity Proofing for MyChart, which uses additional security checks like one-time passwords and biometric verification, while advising patients to verify sender email addresses, avoid clicking suspicious links, and log into portals directly rather than through emails. Experts warn that compromised MyChart credentials combined with other stolen personal data can enable criminals to build fraudulent profiles and commit identity theft, including opening credit cards in victims' names

Antonio Silva, a Merrimack-based contractor, appeared in court facing felony theft by deception charges after allegedly renting out a residential property he did not own, leaving victim Anna Anderson financially devastated with no savings remaining. Prosecutors allege Silva collected thousands of dollars from the rental scheme, and he also faces two separate civil judgments for incomplete contracting work. If convicted, Silva faces 7½ to 15 years in prison and potential fines.

Mavis Tire Supply settled with Pennsylvania's Attorney General for allegedly billing customers for unnecessary or unperformed vehicle repair and maintenance services, agreeing to pay $215,000 in monetary relief with an additional $100,000 contingent on future violations. The settlement includes $190,000 in restitution for harmed consumers who file valid complaints by January 26, 2027, and requires Mavis to implement employee training and oversight to prevent similar practices. Mavis operates over 130 locations in Pennsylvania and must comply with settlement terms to avoid the additional penalty.

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier sued Evolve Construction and six related individuals for operating a hurricane repair scam targeting at least 80 consumers across multiple counties, with over 60% being seniors. The defendants allegedly collected over $1 million from homeowners for roof repairs and water/mold remediation after Hurricanes Ian and Milton, then failed to complete promised work, used unlicensed representatives, and threatened liens and foreclosure to collect additional payments. The complaint alleges deceptive practices including misrepresented timelines and scope of work, unlawful insurance benefit assignments, and threats of physical collection tactics.

Following the January 2025 Eaton Fire in California, the Los Angeles County District Attorney held a town hall in Altadena to warn survivors about post-disaster fraud and crime, including contractor scams, elder financial abuse, looting, and rent gouging. Authorities have already charged individuals for unlicensed contracting and burglaries in the fire zone, and secured a $320,000 settlement plus $216,795 in restitution from The Langham Huntington hotel for allegedly overcharging guests by more than 10% above regular rates during the emergency.

Scammers are using AI to create convincing fake antivirus renewal pages that impersonate brands like Avast to trick victims into providing personal information such as names, email addresses, and phone numbers. A Belgian-targeted scam site claiming a €129.99 Avast Premium renewal showed signs of AI generation, including polished design, grammatically correct but vague copy, and code comments suggesting contractor work. These collected details are then used for follow-up scam calls where perpetrators pose as support staff to convince victims to install malware or reverse non-existent payments.

This transcript is not about elder fraud or scams. It covers President Trump's visit to Ireland for meetings with Irish leaders and attendance at a golf event. While the transcript mentions "Nigerians Extradited to U.S. to Face Charges in Romance Scams" in the headline, the actual content provided does not include details about that story. I cannot summarize elder fraud content that is not present in the provided text.

Six Nigerian nationals linked to the Black Axe criminal network were extradited to the U.S. to face wire fraud and money laundering charges for an online romance scam that defrauded over 100 American women of more than $6 million. The victims included pensioners and businesspeople who were targeted through elaborate fake online relationships. In response to violence against Nigerian migrants in South Africa, Nigeria's parliament indefinitely suspended official visits to the country.

Suspects impersonating Ontario Provincial Police officers and judges have defrauded seniors in Ottawa's Kanata area through a roofing scam, convincing victims to pay tens of thousands of dollars for misrepresented or undelivered services. The Ottawa Police Service and Ontario Provincial Police are warning residents to be vigilant when contacted by individuals claiming to represent government agencies, law enforcement, or courts. Victims are encouraged to report incidents to police or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

Eighteen months after the Eaton and Palisades Fires in California, county supervisors are implementing tighter consumer protections for vulnerable wildfire survivors who are being targeted by contractor fraud, home repair scams, and other predatory practices during the rebuilding process. The Board of Supervisors directed the Department of Consumer and Business Affairs to develop enhanced measures within 30 days and launch an expanded public awareness campaign to help residents recognize scams, select licensed contractors, and report suspected fraud. The initiative aims to prevent exploitation of fire survivors as they navigate the complex recovery and rebuilding process.