Roofing scam

[nadine58]

Hello, I need help decoding a “letter of intent” I signed to give insurance money to a roofer. Can I ask here or is there another place?

Ugh, I know, why did I sign it in the first place?  Sorry, long post!

The company has an A+ rating with the BBB, excellent reviews (from people with new roofs paid for by insurance) and they’re rated 2nd best in the area, down a notch from last year. They sounded legit, and they knew all the buzz words like “flashing” and “mold remediation”.

I’ve never made a claim on a homeowner policy and this is my 3rd home. But, the roofer with 2 public adjusters, a necessity they claimed, assured me insurance would pay for the damages because I had a claim. These roofers likely knew my insurance wouldn’t cover the replacement given the roof’s age. However they warned me against calling my carrier saying they’ll cancel my policy. That felt so scammy to me. But, They claimed that was happening to people and sent me hour+ long videos of Congress questioning insurance carriers for canceling and denying claims, etc. It was all manipulation and scare tactics. 

Unfortunately. The roofer attached tarps to our roofs, which added new damage to the roof. We felt pressured. They warned our insurance wouldn’t honor our claims if we didn’t have tarps.

In my house, they also took extensive pictures, 2 videos of him pulling on the vents, and scanned the walls with moisture sensors claiming I had extensive mold and water damage. I ran a dehumidifier, a fan, and 2 air purifiers and I don’t feel mold toxic or see or smell mold, either. I doubt if they did that to the neighbors because they never asked for their insurance information or used all those scare tactics on them. I’m a female at 67 living alone, my neighbors are a couple in their 40s. 

I won’t be filing a claim. My insurance cancelled replacement costs last year after a hail storm or so the public adjuster explained. He said my carrier knew I had hail damage and changed my policy at renewal. My roof is 16 years old, which is probably why it changed. I could be wrong as I’ve been about so many things in this situation. 

For what it’s worth, both our homes’ roof vents were likely caught in a gust of wind during a stormy weekend blowing up the shingles on the roof vents, which caused water to leak into our ceilings. We both had leaks the same day and oddly, contacted the same roofer.

The roofer said we needed brand new roof vents to restore the roof to code. Our builder said he only needed to affix the vents,if loosened and reattached the shingles like you’d close a window when it’s raining. We both had another 3 to 5 years roof life remaining. 

if you managed to read all of this, thank you. I tried calling the Elderly Legal Assistance program, but the hold time doesn’t end. 

[Winter2025VA]

Nadine @nadine58 , you answered your question when you said the following.

➡️[*** However they warned me against calling my carrier saying they’ll cancel my policy. That felt so scammy to me.

➡️[*** Yes, this is a scam.

[nadine58]

 True, very scammy and I read something earlier that warned that’s a clear sign of a scam. But they had me convinced my insurance carrier would cancel my policy just for calling. I know that sounds crazy, but they sent me hours worth of videos to make their case,

so, All I need now is the letter of intent deciphered. I filed an electronic complaint with the State’s attorney general’s office, so we’ll see, but they’re so busy, I don’t know when they’ll respond. They can’t take anymore calls. None of the states offices for seniors legal assistance answer their phones. I called Counsel of Aging (I think that’s what it’s called) and they referred me to the BBB, which is an option, only after the roofers send me a bill. I don’t want these people on my property again. I’m worried, too, they’ll put a lien on my property. How, I’m sure they’ll find a way. Scammers know these things.

So far I’ve learned a business pays to become a member of the BBB and that’s no true reflection of their practices, either. Plus, a business allows access to reviews for customers who are satisfied. They can delete any negative reviews if they creep in, too. These “best of the best” contests are their friends voting for them. I don’t think people get the option to vote them down, either. So there’s another source that useless when checking a business references. 

[Winter2025VA]

Nadine @nadine58 , do you have any LOCAL "Consumer Help" newspapers or TV Stations? IF yes, maybe "contact" them to SHARE your story & get some help. Yes, ALL the concerns you mentioned below "could" happen & you may want to contact an attorney immediately. Maybe contact YOUR Insurance Company Agent to see IF they have any advice. Take care, Nicole!

➡️[*** NADINE @nadine58 wrote:

 True, very scammy and I read something earlier that warned that’s a clear sign of a scam. But they had me convinced my insurance carrier would cancel my policy just for calling. I know that sounds crazy, but they sent me hours worth of videos to make their case,

so, All I need now is the letter of intent deciphered. I filed an electronic complaint with the State’s attorney general’s office, so we’ll see, but they’re so busy, I don’t know when they’ll respond. They can’t take anymore calls. None of the states offices for seniors legal assistance answer their phones. I called Counsel of Aging (I think that’s what it’s called) and they referred me to the BBB, which is an option, only after the roofers send me a bill. I don’t want these people on my property again. I’m worried, too, they’ll put a lien on my property. How, I’m sure they’ll find a way. Scammers know these things.

So far I’ve learned a business pays to become a member of the BBB and that’s no true reflection of their practices, either. Plus, a business allows access to reviews for customers who are satisfied. They can delete any negative reviews if they creep in, too. These “best of the best” contests are their friends voting for them. I don’t think people get the option to vote them down, either. So there’s another source that useless when checking a business references. 

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[SereneSeagull]

Possibly try contacting your state’s Attorney General’s office and see where that might lead.