BBB warns of roofing scams

#MiddleburyCT #BBB #RoofingScams

A roofer applies shingles to a roof. (BBB photo)

CROMWELL, Conn. — August 7, 2024, John Orkney said he was standing on his lawn, looking at his roof, when a contractor named John Murphy approached him saying he’d done work down the street and noticed something on his roof. Orkney knew he was correct. He’d had a small leak in his roof. But, Orkney said, the project ballooned when Murphy climbed into his attic and claimed the house was infested with termites.

“The scammer told me I must pay $195,000 to eradicate. Virtual rebuild, outside of house and entire garage. They received down payment, replaced shingles, said they had replaced underlay, rafters and beam also, which they had not, then vanished,” Orkney explained in his report to BBB’s Scam Tracker.

This is the letterhead on Orkney’s paperwork.
(BBB photo)

Orkney pointed out that the letterhead on the paperwork he signed combines the names of two legitimate companies, Tecta America and Metro Roofing Supplies, and uses Metro’s Stamford address. Orkney says Tecta America was also written on the truck the imposters drove.

Tecta America told BBB, “It’s a shame what criminals will do to scam innocent consumers out of hard-earned dollars. Tecta America reminds everyone to stay vigilant and do your homework when vetting contractors. Never pay deposits or send funds in advance of work being performed without proper documentation and due diligence.”

Orkney said Murphy worked with three men who appeared to be brothers in their early 20s and used the names Joseph, Patrick, and Martin Maloney.

“Somehow all my principals went down the drain when they approached me,” said Orkney. “Have a reluctance to do business with people who you have not approached. Mistrust people who show up out of the blue. Check out their credentials. Investigate. If I had called Tecta America I would have found out right away.”

The New Britain resident says the scammers stole $78,000 from him and broke his trust. “It’s made me feel insecure in my own home. A certain feeling of insecurity is following me around right now,” he said.

Men who allegedly conned Connecticut man arrested in New York

Earlier this year, Better Business Bureau received a similar complaint from a Stamford resident regarding a door-to-door duo he paid $10,000 to for roof repairs. The day after the check was cashed, Harrison, NY police arrested the men for allegedly entering a woman’s home without consent in an attempt to solicit roofing work. Police say 20-year-old Patrick Quinn and 26-year-old Thomas Stokes, did not have proper permits or licensing.

According to Better Business Bureau, the men listed a UPS Store in Worcester, Massachusetts as the address for their company, Imperial Masonry and Roofing. Further BBB investigation uncovered that the photos on the company’s website were stolen from other sites. It appears that they may also be using the business name Everest Masonry and Painting out of Chestnut Hill, Mass.

Authorities say the two men had ties to the UK and Ireland. In May, Massachusetts state police issued a warning about transnational contractors. BBB urges caution when choosing whether to do business with a company whose physical location is unknown.

How to avoid roofing scams

• Beware of unsolicited offers. Many scams begin with a contractor who “just happens to be in the area” and notices your roof or home appears to need repairs from the outside.
• Get your insurance company to inspect your roof, and/or get a second opinion. Before signing any paperwork or contracts with a roofing company, you can have your insurance company come out for an inspection to verify the need for repairs or replacements. You can also call another reputable roofing company to take a look.
• Research roofing companies before you hire. Look at a company’s business rating on BBB.org. Keep a close eye on previous reviews and any complaints other consumers might have had. Doing your own research is one of the best ways to know if a roofing company is reputable or just a cover for a scam.

Suspected scams can be reported to the BBB at www.bbb.org/ScamTracker.