Delaware News

Biden urges Delawareans to protect themselves against snowstorm-related repair fraud

Consumer Protection | Department of Justice | Department of Justice Press Releases | Date Posted: Tuesday, February 16, 2010



As Delawareans continue to dig out and begin to make repairs from some ofthe largest winter storms in state history, Attorney General Beau Biden urged homeowners and

business owners to take precautions to guard against fraudulent repair schemes.

“People with bad intentions may try to victimize Delawareans who need to have work done to

their homes or businesses as a result of the severe weather we have faced,” Biden said. “There are

some easy steps Delawareans can take to ensure they use one of the many reputable and honest

contractors in our state. The Delaware Department of Justice will not tolerate citizens being taken

advantage of during their time of need. We will vigorously pursue reports of fraud and hold

perpetrators accountable.”  Biden recommended citizens do the following before engaging a

contractor’s services:•

 

Be wary of door-to-door solicitations Do not pay the full amount up-front; don’t make your final payment until the work iscompleted to your satisfaction•

Always obtain a written proposal, including cost estimate; consider obtaining multipleproposals and cost estimates•

Insist that contractors show proof that they are licensed and insured•

Use established and well-recommended contractors; obtain and contact references of past customers

Check with the county or city to see whether a contractor is licensed or registered and whether permits and

inspections are required for the work

 

Check out a contractor by contacting the Better Business Bureau at 302-230-0108 or

http://delaware.bbb.org
Delawareans who have questions or believe they have been the victim of contractor fraud are

urged to call the Attorney General’s toll-free Consumer Hotline at
1-800-220-5424 or email

consumer.protection@delaware.gov
# # #

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Biden urges Delawareans to protect themselves against snowstorm-related repair fraud

Consumer Protection | Department of Justice | Department of Justice Press Releases | Date Posted: Tuesday, February 16, 2010



As Delawareans continue to dig out and begin to make repairs from some ofthe largest winter storms in state history, Attorney General Beau Biden urged homeowners and

business owners to take precautions to guard against fraudulent repair schemes.

“People with bad intentions may try to victimize Delawareans who need to have work done to

their homes or businesses as a result of the severe weather we have faced,” Biden said. “There are

some easy steps Delawareans can take to ensure they use one of the many reputable and honest

contractors in our state. The Delaware Department of Justice will not tolerate citizens being taken

advantage of during their time of need. We will vigorously pursue reports of fraud and hold

perpetrators accountable.”  Biden recommended citizens do the following before engaging a

contractor’s services:•

 

Be wary of door-to-door solicitations Do not pay the full amount up-front; don’t make your final payment until the work iscompleted to your satisfaction•

Always obtain a written proposal, including cost estimate; consider obtaining multipleproposals and cost estimates•

Insist that contractors show proof that they are licensed and insured•

Use established and well-recommended contractors; obtain and contact references of past customers

Check with the county or city to see whether a contractor is licensed or registered and whether permits and

inspections are required for the work

 

Check out a contractor by contacting the Better Business Bureau at 302-230-0108 or

http://delaware.bbb.org
Delawareans who have questions or believe they have been the victim of contractor fraud are

urged to call the Attorney General’s toll-free Consumer Hotline at
1-800-220-5424 or email

consumer.protection@delaware.gov
# # #

image_printPrint


Graphic that represents delaware news on a mobile phone

Keep up to date by receiving a daily digest email, around noon, of current news release posts from state agencies on news.delaware.gov.

Here you can subscribe to future news updates.