MAGNOLIA
CLIPPING SERVICE
(601) 8$·0911 I 1205) 758·8610
QUITMAN CO DEMOCRAT
MARKS. MS
Cin:ulatlon:: 1427
WEEKLY
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Cht~~list to help .avoid home contractor scams
Ridgeland. MS. - Th~r
BusinessBureau(BBB)contmues
to receive complaints from
consumers who have difficulties
withcontractors/serviceproviders
performing repair and main­
tenance services around their
homes.
The BBB ServlIlg MiESissippi
offers these tipsto help inavoiding
home contractor scams:
-Beware of door-to-door
salesmen making unsolicited
contacts,
-Oet straight anS\'ers to your
questions,
-Be wary if the contractor won't
accept a check or wants the check
made out to him inskad of his
company,
-Deal with local businesses
rather than those who come·
through town.
-Don't be pushed into quick
decisions.
-Ask for references - not from
his favorites, but from his last
three customers.
-Yerify licenses and insurance
coverage directly with the
agencies; don't take copies at face
value.
-Contact the BBB to check on
the company's reliability and
complaint history.
-Oet everything in writing and
read it carefully; never sign
contracts with blank spaces.
-Check funding sources rather
than just accepting financing
arrangements offered by the
contractor,
. • n",,.,'r r\'H! tnn milch uD-front
(usually not more than 113) and
never pay the entire balance until
thejobis completed satisfactorily.
Bill Moak. President/CEO of
the Mississippi BBB cautions.
"spurious contractors uSUJlly prey
on the elderly. They operate door­
to-door offering home repair
services that are often needed by
senior adults. Since it is often easy
for them to provide quick and
easy on-the-spot services,
homeowners often make decisions
withoutchecking out the company
before agreeing to proposals:'
Consumers are urged to check
the reliability of businesses with
the BBB Serving Mississippi
onlineatwww.ms.bbb.org<http:1
Iwww.ms.bbb.orgl>orbycalling
800-987·8280 .