Author Archives: CAP

About CAP

This blog is generated by many contributing writers that are staff of the Consumer Assistance Program of the Attorney General's Office or the Attorney General's Office.

Winter is a great time to start thinking about your next home improvement project

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By Jonah Brodtman, CAP Intern

Next time you’re sitting by the fire, enjoying your favorite seasonal beverage, why not take a moment to start thinking ahead about that roof repair, bathroom renovation, or other home improvement project that you’ve been delaying?

Winter is a great time to start thinking about your next home improvement project. Contact the VT Consumer Assistance Program for questions and consumer help. 1-800-649-2424

It might seem counterintuitive or maybe it’s just not on your mind while there is two feet of snow in your driveway. A few key considerations might make you think twice about further delaying a call to a contractor and getting on their schedule.

In Vermont, contractors and other home improvement specialists are in high demand during the prime building season (summer/fall) and can book several months in advance. So, call now and get on their schedule early.

Thinking ahead to your spring/summer home repair project will help to ensure that you will have enough time to check off every step of the Home Repair How-To Checklist on the Attorney General’s website (https://ago.vermont.gov/home-improvements), including checking contractor registration and obtaining quotes from three contractors.

Planning ahead in the winter months will help to set you up for the smoothest possible project. You may not be able to predict every bump in the road. However, if you do your due diligence as a consumer and start shopping around early, you could set yourself up for less delays, and a smoother experience overall.

For more home improvement tips and information, including energy project considerations, visit the AGO’s website home improvement page. If you have further questions, call our Consumer Assistance Program to speak with our Home Improvement Specialist.

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Considerations when pursuing energy projects for your home

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By Gabriel Taylor-Marsh, Home Improvement Specialist

Looking for a better way to heat and cool your home? Thinking about efficiency measures? Looking to invest in solar panels? Will a heat pump water heater system save dollars and cents?

These are all great questions to be asking. Before you make investments or buy or lease a new system, consider the following checklist when considering energy efficient and renewable energy updates to your home:

  1. Finding and Hiring a Contractor: Like any other home improvement project, consult the existing home repair how-to checklist: If you have questions, call Gabriel, CAP’s Home Improvement Specialist. While connected, ask if there are any complaints about the businesses you are considering hiring.
  2. Promotional Materials: Please read solicitations and advertised claims thoroughly. Ask any and all questions you may have about the claims made and the related product or system. Avoid companies that make deceptive statements. Learn more about greenwashing: https://blog.uvm.edu/cap/guides-available-to-help-consumers-recognize-greenwashing/
  3. Contracts: Read written agreements carefully and ask questions. Find out who is responsible for installation, maintenance and warranties.
  4. Warranties: Find out whether the product will have a warranty. Ask for written copies of warranties and review that labor, parts and service needs are covered.
  5. Tax Credits: Ask if you are eligible for a tax credit. Consult with an accountant or tax preparer first. Learn more about federal and state tax credits:
    -IRS information: https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/residential-clean-energy-credit
    -State of Vermont resources: https://tax.vermont.gov/sites/tax/files/documents/TB-45.pdf
  6. Life Span: Ask questions about how long the product or service is covered. What happens if the company is sold or goes out of business? Who is responsible for servicing the product over time? What happens if the business closes? Will you be notified if anything within the business changes, such as its contractors?
  7. Loans: When taking out a loan, consider your monthly budget, compare rates and ask about the application of credits to determine the project cost versus the potential gains.

Below are some helpful resources to review when considering energy projects:

-Efficiency Vermont provides energy efficiency resources, go to: https://www.efficiencyvermont.com/

-The Public Service Department provides renewable energy resources, go to: https://publicservice.vermont.gov/renewables/resources

Please reach out to me directly with any questions you may have: https://ago.vermont.gov/home-improvement-specialist-bio

Ticket Purchasing Guide

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By Stella Marcantel

Within the past few years, online ticket scammers have become an increasingly prevalent issue. Regarding inflated ticket prices, counterfeit tickets, and multiple copies of the same ticket being distributed, here are some ways to be an expert ticket buyer.

Avoid Ticket Scams: Be Aware - Third-party ticket vendors can sell the same ticket to more than one person. Understand: Leading ticket websites can sell tickets at a much higher cost than face value. Stay Alert: Scam websites can appear very similar to a venue's legit website. Many times you will not know the validity of a ticket until arriving to the venue. Contact Us: ago.vermont.gov/cap
Avoid Ticket Scams Infographic
  • Be aware that third-party ticket vendors can sell the same ticket to more than one person, making both tickets invalid.
  • Understand that third-party ticket websites such as SeatGeek, StubHub, and Ticketmaster can sell tickets at a much higher cost than face value.
  • Stay alert while on the internet. Scam Websites can appear very similar to a venue’s legit website and may appear at the top of your search as a sponsored website, so always check the URL.
  • Do not use untraceable forms of payment such as Venmo, PayPal, or gift cards when possible.
  • Many times you will not know the validity of a ticket until arriving to the venue.

Vermont’s event vendors have cautioned consumers about fake ticket sales by encouraging consumers to check the latest information with the event vendor before purchasing tickets. The best way to avoid ticket scams is by purchasing tickets directly through the venue you plan to attend.

Contact the Vermont Attorney General’s Consumer Assistance Program by calling 1-800-649-2424, or by going to our website at ago.vermont.gov/cap to file a complaint if you have encountered fraudulent ticket sales.

The Season of Changing Leaves and Ripening Scams: Consumer Awareness Tips for Fall

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By Amrutaa Vibho, AGO Intern

With the changing of the leaves and the shorter days, fall brings a host of seasonal activities and purchases. Whether it’s Halloween costumes or season passes to ski resorts, consumers will be looking to save money on their seasonal purchases. However, this season is also ripe for scams. Here are  some tips to help you avoid falling for seasonal scams and schemes.

Beware of counterfeit or knockoff Halloween costumes. When searching online for a deal, beware too-good-to-be-true prices – it could be a trick! Unscrupulous retailers may list costumes at a discount to get you to fall for a listing using stolen photos, then send you a cheap imitation costume instead of the real thing. Avoid this tactic by buying in-person or from a trusted online retailer.

Skiers looking for deals on lift tickets: Watch out for steep, third-party discounts, which could be a sign of fraudulent tickets. Buying tickets from trusted resorts and standard channels is the best way to avoid scams.

Drivers preparing for the winter season may be spooked by the price of snow tires. When searching for a deal, do your research! Sellers offering “too good to be true” prices, subpar, and worn winter tires aren’t heroes. Avoid getting tricked by inspecting tires before you drive away.

Finally, as you plan your holiday vacations, don’t fall for counterfeit family vacation packages. While it is possible for sales to either inflate or be lower on some days than others, prices that are completely undervalued and look overly convenient could be a scam. Avoid holiday disappointment by purchasing directly from the business or online at their official website.

Remember these tips:

  • Research Before You Buy
  • Use Secure Payment Methods
  • Check the URL before clicking: Hover over links to see the actual URL. (look for “https://” in the URL)
  • Be Cautious with Personal Information

As always, contact the Consumer Assistance Program to report scams and get help. Call 1-800-649-2424 or email AGO.CAP@vermont.gov.

Join us in the fight to be #ScamAware and #StopScamsVT. Share this with someone you trust.

Scam Targeting Wedding Officiants and Venders

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Do you officiate, photograph, cater or provide other wedding services? If so, scammers may try to steal your money by claiming to be potential clients.

Several Vermont Justices of the Peace reported to the Consumer Assistance Program a scam in which fake wedding planners reached out to them using fake email addresses. First they asked about their rates for service. Next, they sent a check for a large overpayment and requested a refund.

Wedding officiants are not the only businesses to encounter these fake orders of services. Photographers, caterers, as well as non-wedding related businesses have reported receiving fake requests for services or goods. The end result is always the same. The scammers claim they sent too much money (sometimes drawn on actual accounts fraudulently) and ask businesses to send the claimed overpayment back.

When businesses comply, they lose large sums of money. When the business remits funds by check, the business checking account and routing numbers are provided to the scammer, making businesses susceptible to possible identity theft.

Safeguard business funds by establishing internal protocols to prevent scams:

  • Consider how the email was sent. Was it sent to multiple parties? Was the email address itself an odd combination of letters and numbers? Does it look like a form letter? Are there spelling errors? These are usually scams.
  • Complete online searches to help make an informed decision . An online email verification checker can give you feedback on how the email address has been used. Cross-reference the information provided with information on wedding planning websites.
  • Call the event location and confirm whether there is an event registration under the parties’ names.
  • Require a video call and interview the parties before completing a written contract.
  • Plan to accept payment for the contractually agreed upon amount. The sender can cancel the overpayment and resend payment for the correct amount.
  • Add a multi-step verification process for abnormal payments (consult colleagues, do online research, talk to your bank’s fraud department about potential scams).

Please help stop scams by sharing this information with someone you know. If you have questions about this scam or have provided personal information or money to the scammers, please contact the Consumer Assistance Program at 1-800-649-2424 or https://ago.vermont.gov/cap/recover-scams.