Arlington police arrested a Boston man on Tuesday, Jan. 17, linked to an alleged home-improvement rip-off focusing on city residents — the second comparable rip-off over two days.
Jack Clarke, 23, was charged with malicious destruction of property of greater than $1,200, larceny by false pretenses of greater than $1,200, conspiracy and unlicensed operation of a motorcar, a information launch stated.
On Saturday, Jan. 14, police had been contacted by a resident who believed he was the sufferer of a building rip-off. The resident reported to police that two males had charged him an extreme sum of money for home-improvement work, broken his property and didn’t return to finish repairs.
On Jan. 13, police arrested three males in reference to a separate however comparable rip-off. In instances corresponding to this, a scammer typically targets seniors for varied home-improvement tasks. The focused houses usually want legit repairs. However a suspect typically quotes a small worth for a minor job, then causes injury with out permission and quotes a a lot increased worth, persuading the sufferer to pay a big sum upfront, promising to finish the work, however later taking the fee with out finishing the work.
$14,500 quote grows to $68,000 invoice
Within the Jan. 14 case, the sufferer reported to police that two males, certainly one of whom was later recognized as Clarke, quoted him $14,500 to repaint his basement. When the boys started their work on the home-owner’s basement, they allegedly destroyed a part of the basement basis after which persuaded the sufferer that repairs would value $68,000. The sufferer finally wrote a number of checks totaling a portion of the total quantity, which Clarke allegedly cashed.
On this case, the suspects additionally offered the sufferer with an obvious enterprise contract, which alleged scammers typically provide to assist seem as a legit firm.
On Jan. 17, Arlington police had been notified that Clarke had returned to the sufferer’s dwelling to gather instruments and different supplies left within the home-owner’s basement. Clarke was approached by police, was positively recognized as one of many suspects and was subsequently positioned underneath arrest. Via their investigation, police additionally decided that Clarke was allegedly driving with no license.
He was arraigned in Cambridge District Courtroom on Tuesday and was launched on private recognizance.
Chief Juliann Flaherty stated in a press release:
“We encourage all Arlington residents to concentrate on this sort of rip-off and to report any suspicious exercise to the police division. People finishing up this sort of rip-off typically go door-to-door. We encourage residents to be cautious of anybody going door-to-door providing providers, and to be cautious of who they let into their dwelling or start work on their property with out verifying the corporate first. Scammers typically goal seniors or others in our group who’re weak, and we are going to work with the district lawyer’s workplace to prosecute these instances to their fullest extent.”
Tricks to keep away from scams:
Arlington police have shared the next suggestions concerning dwelling enchancment contractor scams from the Workplace of Shopper Affairs and Enterprise Regulation:
- Scammers typically strategy potential victims for dwelling enchancment scams by telephone, electronic mail or by touring door-to-door, and will declare they’ve been performing work domestically and have surplus materials.
- Scammers steadily provide their providers at a really low worth.
- Verify to verify the contractor is registered with the Workplace of Shopper Affairs and Enterprise Regulation by utilizing its home-improvement contractor registration lookup service. Request a enterprise card or web site tackle for the contractor’s enterprise.
- Be cautious if the person is driving an unmarked motorcar.
- Request a replica of the corporate’s commonplace contract.
- Inquire about whether or not the corporate will present a guaranty and the way lengthy that guarantee will final.
- By no means pay greater than one-third the whole value of a service upfront, in money, and solely achieve this upon getting verified that this individual is a registered dwelling enchancment contractor and you’ve got a contract.
Anybody who believes they’ve fallen sufferer to any kind of rip-off is inspired to contact the Arlington Police Division at 781-643-1212.
Jan. 14, 2023: 3 charged in home-improvement rip-off focusing on aged
This information abstract was printed Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023, based mostly on data from a information launch by Leah Comins of John Guilfoil Public Relations.
