No work, no money
The reader said that she would never have thought that this could happen. “I found their contacts, as usual, in the ads. He responded, communicated kindly, we agreed that we will meet, he will come to see the apartment in Rokišky. Well, indeed, as we agreed, he arrived, measured, calculated, signed the contract, I paid the advance, he wrote out a receipt for the receipt of money – everything was in order. There was even a guy like that, a contractor, who took the keys to the apartment and promised that the repairs would be done within a month. After that, we talked with him once more by phone, and he started to make excuses that he was delayed at another facility and would come later. However, as soon as I called the specified contacts, I only received an automatic response that “the subscriber is currently unavailable”. I have not been able to contact them since then. Then I started to wonder what kind of company it was. I started to look for that company on the Internet, rekistai.lt. it is registered there, but it does not say who manages it or how many employees work, it is only written that it is registered in the Varėna district. I tried to contact the company’s contacts listed there,but no one answered me either. I also found the company email. I sent them a request to return the advance – no response. Now I will try to file a complaint with consumer rights, and I will also contact the police,” Skaidrė said.
Most of the complaints are about goods
Dalia Malinauskienė, head of the International and Public Relations Department of the State Consumer Rights Protection Service (VVTAT), says that when an agreement or contract is not implemented within the set terms, the consumer can terminate it and get the money back. ”In such a case, it is advisable for the user to contact the seller in writing and submit their claim (perform the ordered work, return the advance payment, etc.), as the reader did. If the seller’s answer does not satisfy the consumer, and the consumer believes that his rights are violated, or if the seller does not provide a written answer within 14 days, the consumer has the right to apply to VVTAT for an out-of-court settlement of the dispute”, said D. Malinauskienė.
according to her,VVTAT examines each dispute individually,evaluating the evidence presented. Thus, in this case, it is indeed very significant that the user has documents that record the order, advance payment, etc. Thus, consumers are advised to apply to VVTAT for dispute resolution outside of court.
“VVTAT has received 2 user requests regarding the mentioned UAB (the name is not published while the inquiry is ongoing – author’s post). Both requests are being processed as they were only received at the end of October.VVTAT receives the most requests from consumers for goods (footwear, clothing, electrical appliances, etc.). Such requests make up slightly more than half of all requests received by VVTAT. In the field of services, there are requests for various cleaning, repair, car service or beauty, tourism services”, commented D. Malinauskienė.
Apply instantly
We asked the police representatives what are the chances that the damage suffered by Skaidera from Roki will be compensated. Odeta Jukniūtė, Head of the Dialog Sub-Department of the Chief Police Commissariat of Panevėžys County, informed: “We cannot answer the question about the damage, it depends on the information that is clarified during the investigation.The time during which the submission was made is also very importent.” The police representative also added that one report related to the mentioned company was registered as early as 2023. An appeal was also made to recover the money paid.
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what are the moast common signs of a renovation fraud scam?
Interview between the Time.news Editor and Renovation Fraud Expert
Editor: Welcome to Time.news, where we explore pressing issues affecting our society today. Joining us is Dr. anna Petrov, a noted expert in consumer protection and fraud prevention. Anna, thank you for being here!
Dr. Petrov: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to discuss such an important but often overlooked topic.
Editor: I recently came across a concerning story about an individual who was scammed by a contractor while trying to renovate her apartment. She followed all the necessary steps—she found a contractor through ads, they met, signed a contract, and even exchanged money. How common is this scenario?
Dr. Petrov: Unluckily, it’s quite common. Many people assume that once they have a contract and a receipt, they are protected, but fraudulent contractors can still take advantage of their victims. The lack of regulations in some areas and the ease of online advertising contribute to this issue.
Editor: In this particular case, the contractor seemed reputable at first. What red flags should consumers watch out for, even when things appear to be in order?
Dr. Petrov: There are several red flags to consider. First, any pressure to pay an advance without a thorough screening process should raise alarms. Additionally, look for inconsistencies in communication—if a contractor suddenly becomes unavailable or challenging to reach, as in this case where the consumer received only an automatic response, it’s a serious warning sign.
Editor: That’s valuable advice. Given the importance of communication in thes situations, what should consumers do if they start feeling uneasy about a contractor’s reliability?
Dr.Petrov: Communication is key. If something feels off,the consumer should document every interaction,and I recommend doing independent research. Verify the contractor’s credentials, ask for references, and even consider checking their reputation through online platforms that review service providers.
Editor: This consumer had a receipt and a signed contract, yet things still went awry. How effective are these documents in providing protection against fraud?
Dr. Petrov: While contracts and receipts are important,they are not foolproof.Many fraudsters are adept at creating convincing contracts. It’s crucial for consumers to read the fine print carefully, understand the terms, and never hesitate to ask questions or request modifications. Hiring a lawyer to review contracts can also be beneficial, especially for larger projects.
Editor: The emotional toll of being scammed can be pretty significant. What advice do you have for those who have already fallen victim to such scams?
Dr. Petrov: Victims should know they are not alone and that they can take steps to rectify the situation. First,report the fraud to local authorities and consumer protection agencies. It might also be helpful to join support groups where they can share their experiences and find resources.This sense of community can be incredibly empowering.
Editor: What can we, as a society, do to better protect consumers from these kinds of scams?
Dr. Petrov: Raising awareness is key. Educational campaigns about the risks of hiring contractors can arm consumers with knowledge. Local governments can implement more stringent licensing and registration requirements for contractors to ensure accountability. Financial institutions can also play a role by advising clients about safe payment methods.
editor: It sounds like there are many layers to this issue. Before we wrap up, do you have any final thoughts or tips for our viewers?
Dr. Petrov: Trust your intuition. If something feels off, take a step back. Doing thorough research and maintaining clear communication can save consumers a lot of heartache. Lastly, always be prepared for the unexpected, and consider protecting your investment with contracts that include cancellation clauses and deadlines.
Editor: Wise words indeed. Thank you, Dr. Petrov, for your insights today. It’s crucial that we continue to inform and protect our communities from these fraudulent practices.
Dr. Petrov: Thank you for bringing attention to this important issue. It’s essential that we look out for one another.
Editor: And thank you to our audience for tuning in. Remember, staying informed is your best defense against fraud. Until next time!