Fraud artists as contractors hit neighborhoods in the sweltering heat of summer to exploit consumers' discomfort. They arrive as legitimate providers of air conditioning in Mesa sporting smart service vehicles with all the bells and whistles of real providers. Many are legitimate. Unfortunately, a small percentage of contractors are out to take your money and run. Don't be a victim.

Signs of Trouble
Fraud artists of ac repair Arizona often do not look any different from self-respecting contractors. They have website addresses on their trucks, credit card icons, phone numbers, and they dress like professionals. It's important to look below the surface for signs of trouble. One or two red flags won't necessarily disqualify a service. For instance, if a legitimate contractor is just starting out, he or she may not have a long service history to show you. On the other hand, if numerous red flags pop up in your investigation, be prepared to run for your life. You're about to be scammed.

A long company history is a tremendous indicator. Fraud artists may choose to look like clones of legitimate contractors, but they will not take a false name. If a contractor tries to sell you product because he or she is working "close by," your fraud sensors ought to go off. Unsolicited services should give you pause. A stranger should not be able to convince you otherwise, whether a contractor has called your home or visited your place, if there is nothing wrong with your air conditioning. A unit's age does not indicate anything about its serviceability. Even legit businesses try to up-sell product. It really has nothing to do with the shape of your equipment. To a crooked contractor, it's about taking your money.

Query the Solicitors
Even scam artists have trouble lying. Ask them pertinent questions. Find out from them if they're licensed, bonded and insured. Get solid information you can write on a piece of paper and check. Look them up at the Better Business Bureau for poor ratings. If they're registered with the BBB, it means nothing, but if they have a negative mark, it spells trouble. A legitimate business has a long history of customers who often are happy to provide written references. Ask a potential contractor for references.

There are more interesting ways to ferret out a fraud artist. Ask them what brand names they handle, and check the brand names to see if they are authorized to deliver air conditioning in Mesa. If they aren't, ask for an explanation. Check online reviews. If you are their first victim, there may be little to see in terms of reviews, but if they have worked the neighborhood, the negative reviews may be flowing thick and strong. If you are scammed, be sure to write a review.

Shop Around
Tell any soliciting contractor that you are shopping around and you are taking the best quote for your ac repair in Arizona. That news alone may make a fraud artist walk away. Be careful not to pay them up front. Ask them to bill you. With a credit card, you may be able to recover your money, but only if the credit card company will take the hit. With cash or a debit card, it's unlikely you can recover it.

Fraud artists are long gone with your money before you realize what happened. That's the sign of a successful fraud.