BOSTON — Boston Police Department issued a community alert warning residents, particularly seniors, about an increase in home improvement scams as summer ends.
The department reported that local residents have been swindled out of tens of thousands of dollars for substandard or incomplete masonry, driveway paving, chimney repair, basement work, roofing, and fence repair.
Scammers often begin with a seemingly modest offer, such as a $1,500 paving job, and then claim additional extensive repairs are needed, escalating the costs to $20,000 to $30,000.
Authorities described the scammers’ tactics, which include distributing paper flyers with generic business names like A1 Paving or City & Town Paving, offering discounts due to “leftover materials,” and employing high-pressure sales to exaggerate the urgency of the repairs.
Following initial work, these scammers may become threatening or intimidating and ask for checks to be made out to individuals rather than the business.
The alert noted that many scammers are international travelers from Ireland and the United Kingdom, arriving under a program that prohibits work during their 90-day stay.
These individuals often lack proper registration with the City or State, have only recently established websites, and do not obtain the necessary City of Boston Building Permits.
Residents are cautioned to be wary of any unknown individual offering home improvement services and to report any suspected fraud to the local police, providing details such as vehicle descriptions and license plate numbers.
The police advise homeowners to protect themselves by obtaining at least two estimates from reputable companies with the appropriate insurance, licenses, and references, and ensuring that contractors apply for the necessary permits and provide coverage for their work upon completion.
