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Utility company impostors
Scammers will pose as the utility company and offer to perform a home energy audit. The homeowner is often required to fill out paperwork for a credit check and purchase "discounted" equipment to lower their energy bill. The scammer lures their victim into handing over sensitive information and charges their credit card for equipment that never arrives.
- Do not let anyone you don't trust inside your home. (Even if the person at your door shows you identification, it might not be real.)
- Don’t agree to anything on the spot. Take time to do research.
- Contact the utility company directly to confirm whether they really are offering energy audit services door to door. Calling is the quickest way to determine if you are dealing with an impostor.
Vacation rental scams
Con artists pretend to own vacation rentals, offering a better deal if you book directly through them. They claim you’ll be able to avoid fees charged by big-name vacation rental companies. The home either isn't for rent or is not actually owned by the person behind the advertisement.
- Be wary of ads in search engines and social media.
- Do an online search for the owner's name and/or the property’s address, watching for any reports of scams or dishonest behavior.
- Avoid making payments or sharing personal information outside the rental platform.
Paving scams
Scammers will offer to pave a person's driveway with leftover materials. Once the customer puts down a large deposit, the scammer disappears. In other versions of this scam, the consumer discovers the contractor's work is shoddy and unprofessional after they've paid.
- Be wary of unsolicited offers. Most scams involving contractors begin when a random contractor offers you an estimate that was never requested. Be extra cautious if the estimate is "discounted."
- Research companies and contractors before you hire. Before you agree to hire a contractor and make payment, research them at BBB.org. If the contractor has multiple negative reviews and complaints, don’t hire them.
- Stagger payments. Most contractors will require a percentage of the total price upfront, but it should never be the full price before the work has begun. Instead, agree to stagger payments to inspect work at various project stages.