General Info

A local contractor or service provider is contacted by an individual who claims to live out of state and manages one or multiple properties that need work. Most often, landscaping or remodeling contractors are targeted by these con artists. After solidifying the project's scope, the client mails a check to the business, which deposits it in their business account. Communication with the client is primarily through email or text; the contractor never physically meets with the potential client. The property in question is often abandoned or listed for sale, so there is no access to it. Reports to Better Business Bureau indicate that these scammers target Spanish-speaking businesses at significantly higher rates.