Utilities & Home Services
'Your power will be cut off in an hour' and fake tradespeople.
'Smart-Meter Upgrade Fee' Scam
A scammer claims your utility requires a paid 'smart-meter upgrade' and collects a fee or home access that the real utility never requires.
Read the guide →'Storm Damage' Roof / Chimney Door-Knock Scam
After a storm, 'contractors' knock claiming roof, chimney, or siding damage, take an insurance deposit, and do shoddy work or disappear.
Read the guide →'Your Alarm Provider Went Out of Business' Scam
A salesperson claims your home-security company was bought out or went under and pressures you to switch or 'upgrade,' locking you into a costly new contract.
Read the guide →Cable / Internet 'Outage Credit — Verify Card' Scam
A caller offers a big discount, outage credit, or loyalty deal on your cable/internet, then asks you to prepay with gift cards or 'verify' your card.
Read the guide →Driveway-Paving / Tree-Removal Doorstep Scam
Traveling 'contractors' offer cheap driveway paving, tree work, or roof repairs using 'leftover materials,' take a deposit, and do shoddy work or none at all.
Read the guide →HVAC / Pest-Control 'Free Inspection' Bait-and-Upsell
A 'free inspection' for HVAC, pests, mold, or plumbing is used to invent urgent, scary problems and pressure you into overpriced or unnecessary work.
Read the guide →Locksmith Bait-and-Switch (Fake Local Number)
A fake 'local' locksmith advertises a low price, then drills your lock unnecessarily and demands a much higher on-site payment.
Read the guide →Solar-Panel / 'Government Solar Program' High-Pressure Scam
High-pressure pitches claim a 'free government solar program' or guaranteed savings, then lock homeowners into costly loans, liens, or contracts with misrepresented terms.
Read the guide →Utility 'Shut-Off in 30 Minutes — Pay by Gift Card'
A caller posing as your electric or gas company says your service will be shut off within the hour unless you pay an overdue balance immediately by gift card.
Read the guide →Water-Department 'Test / Reconnect Fee' Scam
A caller or doorstep 'water department' worker claims your water needs testing or a reconnect fee, seeking payment or entry to your home.
Read the guide →
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