Scam targets roofing companies’ customers

NASHVILLE, TN (WSMV) -

Con artists are using a clever combination of building permits and the good names of reputable companies to scam Middle Tennessee customers.

Well-known Nashville roofing company Mr. Roof says some of its customers are being targeted by the scammers, who look for homes where there's been recent construction. Then, they show up, claiming to do follow-up services for an additional fee.

Mr. Roof has spent 50 years building a reputation, so you can imagine how rough it is to find out someone is out there impersonating you.

"They are pulling building permits and finding out where we've installed roofs or other trades," said Jeff Kinney, with Mr. Roof. "Essentially, what they'll do is they will approach the client, knock on the front door, and say, 'Hey, we are from Mr. Roof. We'd like to do a visual inspection of your roof - just quality insurance.' In some cases, they're charging the clients just do the inspection. Then, if they say they've found something that's not been done correctly, they'll charge them to fix it correctly."

The company found out about the scam when a would-be victim called the company directly to double-check the house call. That homeowner wasn't out any money, but others haven't been so lucky.

"We're trying to scramble and figure out what these people are doing out there. We don't know what's going on. We don't know to the extent these people have told them. We don't know if they've taken money from them. So it's very disheartening these people have been out there trying to represent us and our reputation," Kinney said.

Kinney says other roofing companies are reporting the same type of scam. It's a terrible thing to do to people, especially elderly people, but it's also a difficult thing to stop.

"We'd love to catch them," Kinney said.

The Better Business Bureau advises that if someone claims to work for a company, check that out. They remind customers that:

Original post:
Scam targets roofing companies' customers