NEW YORK STATE POLICE
Major Michael S. TenEyck
Troop D Commander
State Police arrested Tylor J. Felix, age 26 from Sodus, NY for Grand Larceny 4th degree, a class “E” felony.
Mr. Felix, the owner of Felix’s Gutters and Improvement”, is accused of taking $3,000 from a complainant in Skaneateles to perform roofing and gutter work and failing to purchase job materials or complete any of the home repairs. Following numerous attempts by the complainant to obtain a start date for the work, Mr. Felix would not return to do the work.
He was issued an appearance ticket and is scheduled to appear in the town of Skaneateles Court on July 13, 2022, at 7 PM.
Homeowners are reminded to use caution when hiring a home improvement contractor, especially following a major storm, flood, or another weather event when many homeowners are trying to repair their homes. However, contractor scams can happen at any time, so be wary of high-pressure sales tactics, upfront fees, and fly-by-night businesses. Con artists will take homeowners’ money and deliver (or not deliver) less than quality work.
Tips to Spot This Scam:
- Watch out for "red flags." Say no to cash-only deals, high-pressure sales tactics, high upfront payments, handshake deals without a contract, and on-site inspections. Not all “storm chasers” are con artists, but enough are that you should be cautious any time a home contractor contacts you first…especially after a natural disaster.
- Ask for references and check them out. Bad contractors will be reluctant to share this information and scammers won’t wait for you to do your homework. If you can, get references from past customers, both older references to check on the quality of the work and newer references to make sure current employees are up to the task. Check them out at BBB.org to see what other customers have experienced. And always be sure to get a written contract with the price, materials, and timeline. The more detail, the better.
- Know the law. Work with local businesses that have proper identification, licensing, and insurance. Confirm that your vendor will get related permits and make sure you know who is responsible for what according to your local laws and that your vendor is ready to comply.