Phony contractors are scamming the elderly

From CBS 2:

Con artists appear to be targeting elderly homeowners in sections of Queens.

The suspects convince people to get roof repairs and pay in cash — only later do residents learn the work is sub-standard.

As CBS2’s Dave Carlin reported, police in Middle Village posted signs warning residents of a door-to-door scam.

Police said sometimes, scam artists steal the identities of legitimate roofers, making them difficult to track down. They said they need neighbors to help spread the word and help them stop the scam with tips to avoid getting conned.

The warnings posted on trees and power poles are a heads up for homeowners to ignore anyone knocking on doors offering roof repairs or other fix it jobs.

Tip offs that the workers are not legit include vehicles with out of state plates and demanding cash payments for the work.

Another scam involves awning repairs. Con artists get money up front for the work, but never return.

Ridgewood roofer posts illegal signs in North Flushing

"Mysterious unwanted construction and roofing advertisements have been appearing all over North part of Flushing, Queens in tree lined and quiet residential parts of the neighborhood.

The DOT should be aware as well as any other pertaining authority to bring this "company" to the point of being fined and demand for the removal of these eyesores.

It's a terrible sighting when a person wake ups in the morning, check out thru the front window and the first thing they'll see is this terrible sighting.

Shame on these crooks who come in the middle of the night to deface our communities offering their unwanted services damaging the trees by using screws on trees and in some instances placing their ugly adds side by side on the same tree.

One is placed in front of 146-35 25th Rd., Flushing, NY 11354 and another in front of 151-07 26th Avenue, Flushing, NY 11354. The owners of these two houses should remove them and send them in a parcel to this shady company as a message not to mess with their street." - anonymous

Irish traveler issues refund to scammed victim

"The articles in the Post and News scared him so he called her and got a messenger to bring a certified check to her house. We checked it out and it's real. He purchased the check in a TD Bank branch in Elmhurst.

It's obviously very lucrative over here for him so he doesn't want to be hassled. Capt. Manson (104th Pct) tracking him down too...

The Post did a good job, again the reporter saw it on QC... good job Crappie!" - Robert Holden

Why, thank you. :)

'Tis the season for the return of "Irish travelers"

"There are at least two bogus roofing companies preying on seniors, especially women, in the Middle Village-Maspeth area.

They use one scam... approaching the target homeowner and say they were working on a neighbor's roof nearby and noticed that the target homeowner has a serious roofing issue. The phony roofer goes on the roof sprays a (non-waterproof) silver paint, usually taking an hour and a half and then gives the homeowner a ridiculous bill, in this case $2,250. The scammer then offers to lower the bill to $1,950 if the homeowner pays cash. Which she did.

Of course the scammer gives a bill that's pre-printed and appears to be legit. However the company name turns out to be bogus including the license number, phone and address.

The scammers have used company names such as "Halliday Painting Roofing Waterproofing" McGavin and possibly Thompson. They have been known to use Irish and Scottish accents. Their trucks are new and look impressive, a dark grey capped pickup and a red pickup, both with out of-state plates.

If anyone sees these trucks operating in the area please call 911 and try and get a license plate. Also please call the Juniper Park Civic Association (718) 651-5865 if you know other victims or attempted scams.

In the case pictured the senior could not climb a ladder to check on the work. The scammer promised in writing to seal and waterproof roof and flashing, clean gutters and guaranteed the job for 7 years. None of the work promised was actually done, in fact the bogus roofer spray painted perfectly good shingles." - Robert Holden

Apparently this is a yearly occurrence.

These folks are known as "Irish travelers". If they approach you, call 911.

Roofer Electrocuted In College Point

By: NY1 News

Sources tell NY1 that a roofer was electrocuted this afternoon in Queens.

According to family members, William Barrett, 28, was raising an aluminum ladder onto a home on 117th Street in College Point, when it came in contact with a wire.

He was taken to New York Hospital in Queens, where he was pronounced dead.

Barrett was employed by a small, private roofing company.