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Arlington police arrested a Boston guy on Tuesday, Jan. 17, connected to an alleged dwelling-advancement fraud focusing on town citizens — the second very similar fraud in excess of two times.
Jack Clarke, 23, was billed with destructive destruction of property of additional than $1,200, larceny by phony pretenses of a lot more than $1,200, conspiracy and unlicensed procedure of a motor car or truck, a news release claimed.
On Saturday, Jan. 14, law enforcement ended up contacted by a resident who considered he was the victim of a development rip-off. The resident claimed to police that two males had charged him an extreme total of revenue for home-advancement function, broken his assets and did not return to comprehensive repairs.
On Jan. 13, law enforcement arrested a few men in relationship with a different but related rip-off. In circumstances these types of as this, a scammer typically targets seniors for many house-enhancement jobs. The targeted homes typically require reputable repairs. But a suspect often estimates a compact price for a minor position, then causes hurt without having authorization and prices a substantially increased value, persuading the target to spend a big sum upfront, promising to comprehensive the operate, but later on having the payment devoid of finishing the perform.
$14,500 quote grows to $68,000 invoice
In the Jan. 14 circumstance, the victim reported to law enforcement that two males, one of whom was later on identified as Clarke, quoted him $14,500 to repaint his basement. When the guys began their perform on the homeowner’s basement, they allegedly destroyed aspect of the basement basis and then persuaded the sufferer that repairs would price $68,000. The target in the end wrote many checks totaling a portion of the full total, which Clarke allegedly cashed.
In this scenario, the suspects also furnished the target with an evident company agreement, which alleged scammers occasionally present to aid appear as a legitimate business.
On Jan. 17, Arlington police ended up notified that Clarke had returned to the victim’s property to collect resources and other products remaining in the homeowner’s basement. Clarke was approached by police, was positively discovered as a person of the suspects and was subsequently positioned underneath arrest. By way of their investigation, law enforcement also determined that Clarke was allegedly driving without a license.
He was arraigned in Cambridge District Courtroom on Tuesday and was launched on particular recognizance.
Main Juliann Flaherty explained in a assertion:
“We stimulate all Arlington inhabitants to be conscious of this style of fraud and to report any suspicious activity to the police department. Persons carrying out this type of fraud typically go door-to-doorway. We really encourage residents to be cautious of any individual likely door-to-door giving services, and to be cautious of who they permit into their home or start off get the job done on their assets with out verifying the enterprise very first. Scammers often focus on seniors or some others in our group who are susceptible, and we will function with the district attorney’s place of work to prosecute these situations to their fullest extent.”
Guidelines to stay away from cons:
Arlington law enforcement have shared the adhering to recommendations regarding home advancement contractor scams from the Office of Purchaser Affairs and Business enterprise Regulation:
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- Scammers typically strategy prospective victims for property advancement scams by telephone, e mail or by touring door-to-door, and may possibly declare they’ve been doing operate locally and have surplus materials.
- Scammers frequently provide their products and services at a really very low rate.
- Verify to make sure the contractor is registered with the Workplace of Customer Affairs and Enterprise Regulation by applying its household-enhancement contractor registration lookup services. Ask for a organization card or web site tackle for the contractor’s business.
- Be cautious if the specific is driving an unmarked motor auto.
- Request a duplicate of the company’s typical contract.
- Inquire about no matter if the company will give a guarantee and how prolonged that warranty will previous.
- By no means fork out additional than a single-3rd the total price tag of a assistance upfront, in income, and only do so once you have confirmed that this man or woman is a registered property enhancement contractor and you have a contract.







Everyone who thinks they have fallen target to any variety of scam is encouraged to make contact with the Arlington Police Section at 781-643-1212.
Jan. 14, 2023: 3 charged in property-improvement fraud concentrating on elderly
This information summary was printed Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023, dependent on information from a news release by Leah Comins of John Guilfoil Community Relations.
