By Edwin J. Viera, producer/reporter, Connecticut News Service, a bureau of Public News Service.
Amid the fun in the sun, residents everywhere should be on the alert for summertime scams.
Fake utility workers
Utility company impostor scams are prominent this time of year. Scammers might pose as utility company employees offering a home energy audit. Homeowners are asked to fill out paperwork for a credit check and to buy equipment, which helps scammers get banking information.
Kristen Johnson, communications director for the Better Business Bureau Serving Connecticut, said people can discern real employees from scammers.
“Take their information. Say, ‘OK, I’ll get back to you.’ If they’re really pushy, that’s a red flag; you don’t want to proceed,” Johnson recommended. “Then pick up the phone, call the utility company, ask Eversource or UI, ‘Are you really doing this home energy audit? I have someone named Bill here. Is he really going around my neighborhood and my town?'”
Paving scams
Paving scams, in which a scammer offers to redo a person’s driveway with leftover material, also rise in summer. In one version of the scam, after a customer puts down a large deposit, the scammer disappears. Other versions have consumers discover the contractor’s work is shoddy after paying for it. Johnson pointed out that researching and checking out reviews can save people from being scammed.
Vacation rental scams
Other popular summertime scams involve vacation rentals. While searching for a house to rent, people might be blinded by an online offer touted as being easier than Verbo or Airbnb. Upon arriving at the rental, people might find it does not exist. She emphasized there are ways to avoid financial fallout.
“You should never be using anything but a credit card to pay someone that you’ve never met in person,” Johnson advised. “Obviously, with a vacation rental, you’re not going to meet the owner in person. So, you definitely want to be able to use a credit card. That way, your purchase is protected, and if anything goes wrong, the credit card company can step in.”
Johnson added social media has expanded ways for scammers to take advantage of people. Being asked to use CashApp or other payment apps outside Verbo or Airbnb is another red flag. Also using a reverse Google image search can help discern whether the rental property exists.
