Spring Is within the Air, panorama scam Artists Come Out Of Hibernation - CBS native

by Tom Mustin

DENVER (CBS4) – Now that hotter climate is coming near, many people are attempting to get an early birth on their lawns. but the more advantageous business Bureau warns that landscaping scam artists are focused on Colorado owners.

"I'm indignant. Very indignant," stated "Leslie," who didn't need to reveal her face after becoming the latest sufferer of an apparent landscaping scam. "They took our funds. That's hard for me to abdominal," she advised CBS4's Tom Mustin.

CBS4's Tom Mustin interviews scam sufferer "Leslie" (credit: CBS)

In February, Leslie answered a flyer left at her citadel Collins domestic from a company referred to as Paradise Hardscapes. The enterprise's website boasts, "Proudly serving Colorado in view that 2005." a person named Christopher each day confirmed up.

"They sounded very professional. Christopher had a solution for each query," observed Leslie.

She ended up writing a verify for $999 for two years of lawn preservation service, which protected mowing, fertilizing, aeration and sprinkler provider.

Leslie's receipt for her $999 examine (credit score: CBS)

"He spoke of this become a one-time offer they had been doing," Leslie mentioned.

"When did you delivery smelling a rat?" Mustin requested.

"The minute he left my door," she responded.

What Leslie didn't know became that Christopher daily also goes by way of the identify of Chris Carter or Walter Pilgrim. He has as a minimum 5 separate enterprise names — all with an "F" rating from the BBB, and a trail of irritated customers.

(credit score: CBS)

"We've had five complaints in ultimate two weeks in opposition t this enterprise," talked about Kim States with the BBB.

States says there have been as a minimum 22 complaints against the company over the past few months. Leslie might also have gotten acquired off handy.

"this is a terrifying aspect. We heard from one consumer who put down as plenty as $10,000 best to now not have the work carried out," States talked about.

Leslie says the enterprise despatched workers to her domestic at some point, after which disappeared. She known as the company every day, and filed a police record. remaining Friday, daily despatched her an electronic mail saying's been dealing with household considerations and would send her a reimbursement. Leslie says she'll probably not ever see that funds, but she's learned a $999 lesson.

"take heed to your instincts. If it sounds too first rate to be proper, it's," she observed.

(credit score: CBS)

Paradise Hardscapes is registered to an handle in Westminster the BBB says is not official. they are saying each day has not answered to their emails.

The BBB says before handing over money to any contractor, spend a few minutes making bound the business is legitimate. do that with the aid of calling the BBB or checking their website.

link: Colorado – better business Bureau

Tom Mustin is CBS4's Weekend Anchor. He has been with CBS4 seeing that 2002, and is all the time trying to find excellent story ideas. join with Tom on fb or comply with him on Twitter @TomCBS4.