KTVN Channel 2 - Reno Tahoe News Weather, Video - Local Contractor Gets Scammed While Looking for Work
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As the economy spirals downward so does Dennis Hunter's hope to line up new work. Not many people are looking to have security systems installed these days. "(I am an) installer of Direct TV and installer of home security systems, it fell apart I've been out of work now for a month and a half."
So Dennis checks web sites like www.craigslist.com daily. He came across an ad for experienced handymen or contractors. It sent him to www.mycontractorsource.com."I didn't see anything that seemed illegitimate."
He was told to submit information for a background check, "they've got my driver's license, my social security number and my address. They've got access to my entire world."
He gave up his personal info, in exchange for leads for work within 48 hours."It's right on the website, within 48 hours they're going to give you work, but I never saw a thing."
Turns out Dennis was not alone. He got several e-mails from other contractors who never got any leads for jobs either. Some people wrote "this is a scam," while another email warned contractors "to check your bank accounts."
$100 was taken out of Dennis' account, twice without his permission. "When you give into the wrong individual, now what? You try to do legit work and you get bit in the rear."
Dennis closed out his debit card and his bank says their fraud investigation team will look into this.
Our calls to www.mycontractersource.com have not been returned.
