Napa Officials Warn Residents Of Scams As They Look To Rebuild Following Earthquake
NAPA (KCBS) – It didn't take long, but scam artists are already making their way to the city of Napa, trying to take advantage of residents whose houses are in need of repair following last month's 6.0 earthquake.
In fact, two contractors have already been busted for trying to pull scams.
Napa Officials Warn Residents Of Scams As They Look To Rebuild Following Earthquake
Napa Chief Building Official Dan Kavarian said in one case, a landscape contractor was caught twice trying to rebuild chimneys without permits.
"[In the other case] a chimney contractor was giving estimates for $325 to tell people that their chimney was cracked, and if they hired him, he would give them back $125, which is illegal by the Contractors License Board standards," said Kavarian.
He said many residents are vulnerable right now.
"The elderly especially because they get scammed all the time," Kavarian said. "So elder abuse is always a big thing when it comes to situations like this."
His advice is to never give any money up front, make sure the person's business card contains the contractor's name and his or her license number and to always get a contract.
