Each homeowner wants their home to be as comfortable as possible. Home improvement or home repair can be a major expense and every homeowner looks out for the best deal that is available in the market. Unfortunately though, this also attracts unwanted attention from scammers and fraudulent home improvement and home repair agencies. There have also been instances where genuine agencies and contractors failed to deliver what was initially agreed. So how does the common individual stay safe of such home improvement and home repair fraud and scams? Below is a list of precautions that can help in avoiding such fraud and scams:
1.Research and collect as much different quotations from various agencies and contractors.
2.Complete details mentioned by the field executive or contractor with regards to the total expense, materials required, service charges etc. should be noted with the name and address of the company.
3.If a company or agency has been shortlisted, do ask for names and contact numbers of people who have already used their services.
4.All terms and conditions mentioned in the contract should be understood and only then should the contract be signed.
5.One of the best ways to avoid home improvement fraud is to contact the local authorities and verify the reputation of the agency.
6.No upfront fee or charges should be paid.
7.On completion of the home repair work it is advisable to pay the charges by way of a bank check. This method of payment will serve as a proof in case there is a dispute.
May 14th, 2009 | Tags: avoiding home improvement fraud, avoiding home repair fraud, fraud, home improvement fraud, home improvement scams, home repair fraud, home repair scams, online scams, scam | Category: Action Against Fraud, Anti-Scams, Email Scams, Fraud Events, Internet Marketing Scams, Online Scams, Prevent Scams | Leave a comment
Literary scams are scams specially designed for writers who are relatively new to the print media. Scammers who operate literary scams, dupe their victims by coaxing them to ‘register’ for a fake service or stealing the legal rights through false promises of publishing the articles. Literary scams like most of the scams can be avoided. Some such tips to avoid literary scams are as follows:
1.A genuine literary agent will never ask for an upfront fee or charge.
2.Legitimate publishing houses do not provide services that include refining a article or making amendments to a post.
3.Too good to be true promises and returns even before your work is completed, is a sure red flag.
4.Publishing houses do not advertise regarding their need for a article, over the internet or through a phone call. Spam email of such sort are most probably literary scams in the making.
5.Anyone claiming to publish your work provided you purchase a certain item is more interested in your money rather than your work.
6.The general practice followed by genuine publishing houses or agents is that they pay for your work or at least promise a free copy of the published material containing your article.
New writers and writers who are relatively new to the publishing field should keep in mind that the literary business is like any other and the amount of success is directly proportional to the amount of hard work, persistence and talent involved.
May 14th, 2009 | Tags: Email Scams, fraud, literary fraud scmehes, literary scams, online scams, poetry scams, poetry writing scams, scam | Category: Action Against Fraud, Anti-Scams, Email Scams, Fraud Events, Internet Marketing Scams, Online Job Scams, Online Scams, Prevent Scams | Leave a comment
