7 Ways to Protect Yourself from Online Contractor Scammers

By Jeff Pizzino, APR | Corp. Communications –

One of the signs of a fraudulent contactor is when the homeowner receives a hand-written contract with numerous spelling errors.

In the digital age, online platforms — including HomeAdvisor.com, Houzz.com, Angi.com (previously Angie’s List), and Thumbtack — have become go-to resources for hiring contractors and service providers. These online platforms offer a wealth of information, reviews and ratings to help consumers make informed decisions on contractors. However, behind the allure of the convenience of these platforms potentially lies a hidden danger — the risk of trusting deceptive online business profiles.

One of the most significant threats is the misinformation provided by unscrupulous contractors. In a bid to gain customers, some contractors falsely claim to be licensed, insured and qualified to perform specific services. This deception can lead unsuspecting consumers down a treacherous path. Consumers may unknowingly hire an unlicensed contractor who lacks the expertise needed to carry out the job correctly.

Important Steps to Stay Safe

To protect yourself from falling victim to online contractor scams, here are seven crucial steps to take:

1. Verify Licenses and Credentials: Always ask for the contractor’s license number and cross-verify it with relevant authorities. Confirm any certifications or memberships they claim to have. Legitimate contractors won’t hesitate to provide this information.
2. Scrutinize Reviews and Ratings: Look for patterns in customer feedback and watch out for excessively positive reviews that appear contrived.
3. Request References: Don’t hesitate to ask the contractor for references from previous clients. Follow up with these references to get insights into their experiences and the quality of work delivered.
4. Seek Recommendations: Turn to your network of friends, family, and neighbors for trusted recommendations. Personal experiences can provide valuable, trustworthy insights into a contractor’s reliability and skills.
5. Validate Online Business Profiles: Cross-reference online business profile information from various online platforms to ensure consistency and legitimacy. If you found the contractor through an on-demand home services website, research the platform’s vetting process. A new truth verification app called VerifEye by Converus is the latest tech tool to emerge to help these platforms uncover fraudulent profiles during their onboarding process.
6. Avoid Prepayment: Be cautious if a contractor demands upfront cash payment or requests that you sign over your insurance check. Wait until a substantial portion of the work is completed before making any payments.
7. Trust Your Instincts: If anything seems suspicious or too good to be true, proceed with caution and consider other options.

While online platforms provide valuable information, they should complement your research, not replace it. By diligently following these steps, you can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to online contractor scams. Protect your home investment, ensure quality work, and make informed decisions when hiring contractors.

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Jeff’s been a spin-free public relations pro since 1987. He’s passionate about telling true stories with clarity, impact and authenticity. He’s currently the Chief Authentic Officer at AuthenticityPR , based in Johnson City, TN. Jeff also functions as the virtual VP of Corporate Communications for tech startup Converus , a client. Connect with him on LinkedIn. The views expressed in this blog are the views of the author and not necessarily those of Converus.