UPDATE WARNING - DECEMBER 20, 1999

Warning to Homeowners and Businesses
TRAVELERS ARE BACK IN ARIZONA

The annual migration of unlicensed con-men known as "Travelers" has once again begun in Arizona. These "Travelers" come out to Arizona from the Midwest and as far east as New England each winter looking for unsuspecting homeowners and businesses in need of roofing, painting or asphalt paving work. The elderly are a prime target of these "travelers" and they often intimidate seniors into paying excessive prices for sub-standard work.

Often, these con-men will just show up at the victim's home or place of business and "offer a great deal. "They tell the property owner that they "just happened to be in the neighborhood", or that they "just finished a job in the neighborhood and have some extra material left over on their truck". The "travelers" then will use defective materials and usually change the size and price of the job. When the property owner protests about the cost or size of the job, the "travelers" often become very demanding and intimidating.

Property owners who want to pay by check are often required to accompany the "traveler" to the bank in order to get the check cashed immediately. This prevents any possible "stop payment" of the check. These scam artists then move on to other areas of the city or state, looking for new victims.

Property owners who are approached at their home or place of business by such individuals are urged NOT to agree to have such painting, roofing or asphalt paving jobs performed. Travelers will use a very friendly initial approach with their victims, in an attempt to gain their confidence. Once the victim agrees to have some work performed however, the "traveler" takes control. The travelers have been around for generations. These cons and scams, in many cases, have been passed down from fathers to sons, and improved upon every year.

In the past two months we have identified and / or cited several "traveler" operations in the Prescott, Cottonwood area as well as in Phoenix and Chandler areas.

Remember that most legitimate contractors DO NOT:

• Go door-to-door soliciting new business.
• Require that customers accept left over material from another job.
• Tell customers that they have to sign an agreement or pay the full price for their services right now to get the work done.
• Require the customer to pay by cash or go to the bank to cash a check.

Don't become a victim of these scam artists. Contracting without a License is a crime.

If you are approached by someone who wants to contract with you for such work, call the Arizona Registrar of Contractors Investigation Division immediately, at (602) 542-1525 or toll free in Arizona at 1 (888)| 271-9296.

If you believe you may have been scammed, contact the Registrar of Contractors Phoenix Office at (602) 542-1525 and / or your local law enforcement agency.

Also available is a Also available is a Tips Hotline if you believe an individual or company is contracting or advertising in violation of state statute.