There’s an old saying that goes, “knowledge is power.”
This quote reminded us of the importance of strengthening people’s ability to spot financial scams and avoid becoming victims.
Scammers never seem to tire of trying to scam people out of their money.
For example, the Better Business Bureau recently announced that it has received numerous reports on its Scam Tracker of unscrupulous emergency garage door repair companies targeting homeowners, advertising emergency repair services and exaggerating the amount of work and number of parts required for the repairs.
The BBB said in a news release that these scammers often take advantage of emergency situations and prey on homeowners’ lack of knowledge about garage door parts and repair costs, and these companies often appear at the top of internet searches when homeowners search for emergency garage door repairs.
Recently, the daughter of a Painesville senior citizen told the BBB of the Greater Cleveland Area about her family’s experience with an unscrupulous garage door company.
The woman told the BBB that her mother had “Googled garage services” and the company had appeared in the search engine’s sponsored ad listings. According to the release, the consumer noticed the business had “no physical address and an 800 phone number that changed every time they searched.”
The company told the mother it could repair the garage that same day, offering to fix the door pipes, springs and bolts for $1,611. The company completed the work, but the homeowner never received a written contract, only a payment receipt.
The consumer paid for the repairs, but then the company claimed her personal check was returned for insufficient funds. The consumer filed a stop payment order and received a cashier’s check, which she then provided to the company, according to the release.
The company then claimed they would need to contact their bank to withdraw the funds. The consumer and her daughter were skeptical and stated they would not do this as that is not how a cashier’s check works.
According to the release, the company tried to force the mother to speak to the “bank,” but provided her with a fake customer service number. The consumer has told the company to stop contacting them, but they continue to be plagued with spam calls from the fake bank number.
According to the BBB, warning signs of garage door repair scams include:
• Company Name: Garage door scammers often use several generic and obscure names that are not listed as legally registered companies with the state.
• Payment up front: Be wary of repair services that ask for full payment before the work is completed. Reputable companies provide detailed estimates and allow payment once the work is completed.
• No physical address: Garage door scammers either don’t have a legitimate, physical showroom or use a fake address. Scammers may only provide a phone number or email address and avoid giving a verifiable location.
• Lack of Identification: Legitimate repairers usually wear a uniform, carry identification and drive a car with the company logo. Be suspicious if they don’t have the proper identification or a marked vehicle.
• Unrealistically low prices: Many scams will advertise low rates for a service call and then ask for more money for additional “repairs.” If the quote seems too good to be true, it probably is.
• High-pressure sales tactics: Scammers may use high-pressure tactics to convince you that your garage door needs costly repairs right away, insist that you shouldn’t wait, and even ask for payment up front.
“Due diligence is important when hiring any service provider,” the BBB said in a release. “Researching and selecting a reputable garage door repair company can save you money and stress in the long run. A reputable garage door repair company will prioritize safety and offer transparency and fair pricing.”
The News-Herald believes the BBB offers solid advice worth sharing with others, so please pass these tips on to anyone you think might need help spotting a scam that could result in significant financial loss.
First published: September 7, 2024, 7:30 AM