What is Construction Fraud?

Construction fraud occurs if a person engaged in construction knowingly:

• Obtains money, property or labor by false pretense.
• Receives payments and fails to state his own true name, or states a false name, contractor’s license number, address or telephone number of the person offering a service. 
• Diverts money or commits any act of theft, forgery, fraud or embezzlement, in connection with a construction project.
• Acts as a contractor without a contractor's license.
• Fails to disclose a material fact.
• Construction fraud is also where services are paid for Home repair but no work is done.

How to spot potential construction fraud.

Beware of:

Repair businesses and individuals who solicit door-to-door

• Offer you special deals, using left over materials from another job.
• Arrive in unmarked vehicles or vehicles with out of state plates.
• Have a post office box or temporary address.
• Pressure you to pay in full before any work is done or materials are delivered.
• Protect yourself!
  The biggest key to preventing contractor fraud lies with you, the homeowner.
• Know your contractor.
• Make sure the contractor is properly licensed.
• Obtain and check references.
• Get all agreements in writing.
• Be sure you have signed contracts and receipts; and do not verbally authorize subsequent changes.
• To obtain additional information about your contractor, check the following web sites:

OregonConstruction Contractors Board.

http://www.oregon.gov/ccb/

The Better Business Bureau

http://www.bbb.org

OregonDepartment of Justice Hotline

http://www.doj.state.or.us/