Documented cases of contractor fraud, homeowner non-payment, and what structural protection could have prevented.
A North Texas contractor collected hundreds of thousands in deposits for pools and home remodels, then abandoned projects across the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Prosecutors pursued theft charges as dozens of homeowners were left with half-dug yards and drained bank accounts.
After deadly tornadoes tore through Mississippi, a contractor collected roofing and repair deposits from storm survivors and never completed the work. His victims were left with damaged homes and empty bank accounts as authorities pursued charges.
An Iowa contractor collected roofing and repair deposits from homeowners recovering from severe storms, then failed to complete the work and moved money for personal use. State prosecutors pursued theft charges as victims struggled to recover their losses.
A Florida contractor collected tens of thousands in deposits from homeowners needing storm repairs, then failed to perform the work or refund the money. Authorities charged him with multiple counts of contracting fraud after victims filed complaints.
After deadly tornadoes tore through western Ohio in March 2024, storm-chasing contractors descended on damaged communities. Some homeowners handed over deposits for roof and structural repairs, only to watch the work stall or never begin.
After catastrophic 2022 floods devastated Eastern Kentucky, vulnerable homeowners rebuilding their lives faced a second disaster: contractors who took disaster-relief money and left work undone. This case exposes how fraud compounds tragedy in Appalachian flood zones.
An Oregon contractor collected large deposits from Portland-area homeowners for remodeling and construction projects, then failed to complete the work or refund the money. Authorities charged him with aggravated theft after dozens of victims came forward.
A Minnesota roofing operator collected insurance proceeds and deposits from homeowners after severe hailstorms, then failed to complete the promised work. Multiple homeowners were left with damaged roofs and drained insurance claims after trusting a storm-chasing contractor.
After Hurricane Ida devastated southeast Louisiana in 2021, a contractor collected federal disaster assistance funds and homeowner deposits for repairs he never completed. Victims were left living in damaged homes while their recovery money vanished.
After Hurricane Beryl battered the Texas Gulf Coast in July 2024, storm-chasing contractors flooded the region. Investigators and homeowners have since documented cases of deposit theft and abandoned repairs across the Houston area.
After the deadly December 2022 blizzard devastated Western New York, homeowners scrambled to repair damaged roofs and frozen pipes. One contractor collected thousands in deposits for emergency repairs, then disappeared without doing the work, leaving vulnerable residents in the cold.
A Southern California solar company collected millions from homeowners for panel installations that were never completed or connected. Customers were left with financing bills for systems that never produced a watt of power.
A metro Atlanta contractor collected large deposits from dozens of homeowners for kitchen and bath remodels, then abandoned the jobs and shut down operations. Prosecutors say losses topped $2 million as unfinished projects piled up across the region.
A San Antonio contractor collected large deposits for home remodeling and construction projects, then abandoned the work and left customers with unfinished homes. Multiple homeowners reported losses totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars before authorities intervened.
After an EF-4 tornado leveled Rolling Fork, Mississippi in March 2023, storm-chasing contractors descended on a devastated community. State officials warned residents about repair scams targeting families who had lost everything and were desperate to rebuild.
A Florida contractor collected hundreds of thousands of dollars from condominium associations for repair and restoration work that was never completed. Investigators say he moved between projects, taking upfront payments while leaving buildings in disrepair.
Matthew Cox, a former mortgage broker and homebuilder in Atlanta and Florida, orchestrated a fraud scheme using fake identities, forged documents, and phantom properties. His crimes cost lenders and homeowners tens of millions before he was caught in 2006.
A Middle Tennessee contractor collected large deposits from homeowners for remodeling and construction projects, then abandoned the work and stopped responding. State authorities and homeowners pursued charges after tens of thousands of dollars vanished with little to show for it.
After the devastating 2023 Lahaina wildfire destroyed thousands of homes, opportunistic contractors targeted survivors already reeling from unimaginable loss. Authorities and consumer advocates documented deposit fraud and unlicensed work aimed at Maui families desperate to rebuild.
A Guam contractor and associates were charged in a scheme that defrauded homeowners and government housing programs of more than $1.7 million through inflated invoices and unfinished work. The case exposed how remote island communities face unique risks when contractors disappear with funds.
A Denver-area contractor collected large deposits from homeowners for remodeling and rebuilding projects, then abandoned the work and diverted the funds. Prosecutors pursued felony theft charges as victims were left with unfinished homes and drained savings.
A Texas contractor exploited federal disaster relief funds meant for storm victims, pocketing money intended for rebuilding damaged homes. His scheme left vulnerable families without repairs and defrauded taxpayer-funded recovery programs.
A Central Florida roofing contractor collected millions from homeowners for roof replacements that were never completed, leaving dozens of families with tarps and empty bank accounts. Authorities eventually charged him with more than 100 counts of fraud and organized scheme to defraud.
A Florida contractor collected large deposits from homeowners for major renovations and new construction, then abandoned the projects unfinished. Prosecutors say the losses exceeded $1 million as victims were left with gutted homes and empty bank accounts.
A contractor scheme in the Pacific Northwest combined home repair fraud with predatory financing, leaving homeowners with unfinished work and crushing debt. The case shows how deposit fraud can escalate into far more damaging financial ruin.
As California's ADU boom drew homeowners eager to add rental units, one Los Angeles-area builder collected millions in deposits and progress payments then left projects abandoned. Dozens of families were left with unfinished construction, unpaid subcontractors, and liens on their homes.
After deadly tornadoes tore through central Arkansas in 2023, a roofing contractor collected deposits from storm-battered homeowners and failed to deliver the work. State prosecutors and the attorney general pursued charges as victims counted their losses.
A Sioux Falls-area contractor collected tens of thousands in deposits from South Dakota homeowners, then failed to complete or even start the promised work. State authorities pursued charges after multiple victims came forward with identical stories.
A Nebraska contractor collected deposits from homeowners for siding and roofing repairs after severe storms, then failed to complete the work or return the money. Authorities charged him after multiple victims came forward with losses.
A metro Atlanta contractor collected large upfront payments from homeowners for renovations and additions, then abandoned the projects unfinished. Prosecutors documented more than half a million dollars in losses across multiple victims before charges were filed.
A Suffolk County contractor collected large deposits from homeowners for renovation and repair work he never completed. Prosecutors charged him with grand larceny and a scheme to defraud after dozens of victims came forward with losses exceeding half a million dollars.
A contractor operating across the northern plains billed FEMA and disaster-relief programs for repair work that was never completed, leaving flood victims without habitable homes. Federal prosecutors documented a scheme that combined homeowner deposits with fraudulent government reimbursement claims.
After the December 2021 tornadoes devastated western Kentucky, storm-chasing contractors descended on Mayfield and Bowling Green. Homeowners who had lost everything paid deposits for roof and rebuild work that was never completed, compounding one of the deadliest tornado outbreaks in state history.
After Hurricane Michael devastated Florida's Panhandle in 2018, desperate homeowners handed deposits to contractors promising rebuilds. Many were left with unfinished shells, drained savings, and no recourse as storm-chasing operators collected cash and moved on.
A Cedar Rapids-area contractor collected deposits from homeowners for repairs and additions, then failed to complete the work or return the money. He faced multiple felony theft charges after victims came forward with losses exceeding six figures.
A Connecticut home improvement contractor collected large deposits from multiple homeowners, then failed to complete or even begin the promised work. Prosecutors charged him with larceny after victims came forward across several towns.
After deadly flooding in Middle Tennessee, disaster survivors seeking to rebuild became targets for contractors who took payments and disappeared. This is how federal recovery programs became a hunting ground for fraud.
Vision Solar collected thousands from Georgia and multi-state homeowners for rooftop solar installations that were never completed or connected to the grid. Customers were left paying loans on systems that produced no power.
After deadly tornadoes tore through Alabama, storm-chasing roofers collected insurance-claim deposits and vanished. Investigators say victims lost tens of thousands while their damaged homes sat unrepaired through the next storm season.
A Maine builder collected large deposits for home projects, then abandoned the work and left customers with unfinished jobs. Investigators found a pattern of taking money without delivering, leading to theft charges and restitution orders.
A New Mexico contractor collected substantial deposits from homeowners for construction and remodeling projects, then failed to complete the work. State prosecutors pursued charges after multiple victims came forward with losses exceeding $200,000.
A Hawaii contractor collected large deposits for home projects across Oahu, then failed to complete the work or vanished entirely. State prosecutors and the Regulated Industries Complaints Office documented hundreds of thousands in losses to trusting homeowners.
A Wyoming contractor collected substantial deposits from homeowners for construction and remodeling projects, then failed to complete the work or return the money. State prosecutors pursued theft and fraud charges after multiple victims came forward.
An Anchorage-area contractor collected substantial deposits from Alaska homeowners for construction and remodeling projects, then failed to complete the work. State prosecutors pursued theft and fraud charges after multiple victims came forward.
A Utah contractor collected large deposits for home construction and remodeling projects, then failed to complete the work, leaving families out hundreds of thousands of dollars. State prosecutors charged him with multiple felony counts after homeowner complaints mounted.
A Nebraska contractor collected substantial deposits from homeowners for remodeling and construction projects, then failed to complete the work or return the money. Authorities charged him after multiple victims came forward with losses topping six figures.
Rhode Island contractor Jason Guertin collected large deposits from homeowners for renovation and construction projects, then failed to complete the work. He faced multiple charges after leaving customers with unfinished jobs and significant financial losses.
A Delaware contractor collected substantial deposits from homeowners for renovation and construction projects, then failed to complete the work or return the money. State prosecutors pursued theft and home improvement fraud charges after multiple victims came forward.
A North Dakota contractor collected large deposits from homeowners for projects he never completed, then fled the state and became the subject of a nationwide manhunt. His case shows how deposit fraud can escalate into far more serious crimes.
A Montana contractor collected substantial deposits from multiple homeowners for construction and remodeling projects, then failed to complete the work. Prosecutors pursued felony theft charges after victims reported hundreds of thousands in losses.
A New Hampshire contractor collected large deposits from homeowners for renovation and building projects, then failed to complete the work or return the money. His case led to criminal theft charges and highlighted gaps in state contractor oversight.
A West Virginia contractor collected large deposits for home projects, then failed to complete the work and left customers thousands of dollars in the hole. State authorities pursued charges after multiple homeowners came forward with similar accounts.
An Idaho contractor collected deposits from homeowners for construction and remodeling projects, then failed to complete the work or vanished with the money. Authorities charged him after multiple victims came forward with losses.
A Kansas contractor collected large deposits from homeowners for remodeling and construction projects, then failed to complete the work or refund the money. Prosecutors charged him with multiple felony theft counts after victims came forward.
An Oklahoma contractor collected large deposits from homeowners for remodeling and construction projects, then failed to complete the work or return the money. State prosecutors pursued charges after multiple victims came forward describing the same pattern.
A Vermont contractor collected large deposits for home projects he never completed, leaving multiple families out hundreds of thousands of dollars. His case highlights how deposit fraud thrives even in small, tight-knit communities where trust runs deep.
A San Diego-area contractor collected millions in deposits for remodels and additions that were never completed, leaving dozens of families with unfinished homes. Prosecutors charged him with grand theft and diversion of construction funds after victims came forward.
A Gulf Coast contractor collected deposits from Mississippi homeowners for construction and remodeling projects, then failed to complete the work or return the money. State prosecutors charged him after multiple victims came forward.
After Hurricane Ida devastated southeast Louisiana in 2021, homeowners eager to rebuild handed deposits to a contractor who never finished the work. State authorities charged him with residential contractor fraud after multiple victims came forward with unfinished projects and unreturned money.
A Missouri contractor collected millions in deposits for home projects he never completed, leaving dozens of families with unfinished work and empty bank accounts. His case highlights how deposit fraud can escalate across an entire region before authorities intervene.
An Alabama contractor collected large deposits from homeowners for construction and remodeling projects, then failed to complete the work or vanished entirely. Prosecutors pursued theft and fraud charges as victims struggled to recover hundreds of thousands of dollars.
A Charleston-area contractor collected large deposits for home construction and renovation projects, then failed to complete the work while diverting client funds. Prosecutors documented losses exceeding $700,000 across multiple victims before securing a conviction.
A Louisville-area contractor collected deposits from multiple homeowners for remodeling and repair work that was never completed or never started. Investigations and homeowner complaints led to theft and fraud charges after victims lost thousands.
A Washington state contractor collected large deposits for home renovation and construction projects, then failed to complete the work while diverting funds. State regulators and prosecutors pursued charges after dozens of homeowners reported losses.
A Las Vegas-area contractor collected large deposits for home renovation and pool projects, then failed to complete the work while operating without proper licensing. Nevada authorities charged him after multiple homeowners reported losses totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars.
An Oregon contractor collected large deposits for home projects, then abandoned the work and left customers with unfinished homes and empty bank accounts. State regulators and prosecutors pursued him after dozens of complaints piled up.
An Indianapolis-area contractor collected deposits for home projects he never completed, leaving multiple homeowners out tens of thousands of dollars. He faced felony fraud and home improvement contract charges after victims came forward.
An Arizona contractor collected large deposits for home remodeling and pool projects across the Phoenix metro area, then failed to complete the work. State regulators and prosecutors pursued him after dozens of homeowners filed complaints totaling more than $1 million in losses.
Before the headlines, Anthony Todt operated a physical therapy and contracting-style billing scheme that defrauded clients and insurers across multiple states. His financial collapse left victims unpaid and exposed how unchecked fraud can spiral.
A Long Island contractor collected hundreds of thousands in deposits from homeowners for renovations he never completed. Prosecutors charged him with grand larceny and a scheme to defraud after dozens of victims came forward.
A Maryland home improvement contractor collected millions in deposits from dozens of homeowners but left projects abandoned or never started. Authorities charged him with theft and operating without a license after victims came forward across the state.
A Tennessee contractor collected hundreds of thousands in deposits for home projects he never completed, leaving multiple families with unfinished work and empty bank accounts. His case highlights the dangers of paying large upfront sums without protection.
A Massachusetts contractor collected hundreds of thousands in deposits from homeowners for renovation projects he never completed. Prosecutors charged him with larceny after victims reported abandoned jobs and vanished funds.
A Texas contractor collected large deposits for roofing and remodeling jobs across multiple counties, then disappeared without doing the work. Prosecutors charged him after dozens of homeowners reported losses, exposing how repeat offenders exploit the deposit system.
A North Carolina home builder collected large deposits from multiple families for homes that were never completed or never started. He was indicted on numerous fraud and obtaining property by false pretense charges after victims lost their life savings.
An Illinois roofing contractor was convicted after running a scheme that defrauded homeowners and insurance companies through inflated and fraudulent storm-damage claims. The case highlights how insurance fraud schemes harm both homeowners and insurers, leaving property owners with incomplete work and legal exposure.
Wisconsin contractor Tony Hieber took deposits from multiple homeowners for remodeling and construction projects, then failed to complete the work or refund the money. He was charged with multiple felony theft counts after victims came forward.
A Twin Cities-area contractor collected hundreds of thousands of dollars from homeowners for remodeling and construction projects, then failed to complete the work. Prosecutors charged him with multiple counts of theft by swindle after victims came forward.
An Atlanta-area pool builder collected large deposits from homeowners but left projects unfinished or never started. Prosecutors charged him after dozens of families lost their money to abandoned pool construction contracts.
A New Jersey home improvement contractor collected large deposits from dozens of homeowners for renovations and repairs, then failed to complete the work. Authorities charged him with theft after victims lost more than $1 million combined.
Roman James Hidalgo, owner of Roman James Builders in Austin, collected millions from homeowners for custom builds and renovations that were never completed. Prosecutors charged him with theft after dozens of clients reported abandoned projects and missing funds.
Benjamin Cole, operating a Northern Virginia construction business, collected hundreds of thousands in deposits for home renovations he never completed. Multiple homeowners were left with unfinished projects and empty bank accounts before prosecutors brought him to justice.
A Florida contractor collected millions in deposits from homeowners for repairs and new construction, then failed to complete the work. Authorities charged him with grand theft after dozens of victims came forward demanding accountability.
An Ohio contractor took hundreds of thousands in deposits from homeowners, many elderly, for home improvement work he never completed. State investigators and the Attorney General pursued charges after a flood of consumer complaints exposed the scheme.
When the August 2020 derecho flattened Cedar Rapids with 140 mph winds, out-of-state storm chasers descended on Iowa. Many homeowners paid deposits for repairs that were never completed, prompting warnings from the Iowa Attorney General's office.
After Hurricane Laura devastated southwest Louisiana in 2020, out-of-state storm chasers and fly-by-night contractors collected deposits and insurance checks then disappeared. The Louisiana State Licensing Board and Attorney General fielded a surge of complaints from homeowners left with damaged homes and empty bank accounts.
A Texas restoration contractor collected insurance proceeds and homeowner payments for storm repairs that were never completed or never started. Authorities pursued charges after dozens of victims reported losses, exposing how disaster-driven demand fuels contractor fraud.
A Colorado roofing operation collected millions from homeowners after severe hail storms, then failed to complete work or never started at all. The case highlights how storm-chasing contractors exploit insurance claims and upfront deposits.
Benjamin Dewees collected hundreds of thousands of dollars in deposits from Pennsylvania homeowners for home improvement projects he never completed. His pattern of taking money and abandoning jobs led to a state criminal conviction and restitution orders.
A Michigan contractor collected large deposits from dozens of homeowners for projects he never completed, leaving families out hundreds of thousands of dollars. State prosecutors eventually charged him with multiple felony counts of fraud and racketeering.
After California's devastating wildfires, the Contractors State License Board conducted sting operations that caught dozens of unlicensed operators targeting displaced homeowners. Many demanded illegal upfront deposits before vanishing or performing dangerous, substandard work.
For every homeowner defrauded by a contractor, there are legitimate contractors who completed work and were never paid. A documented look at how the payment crisis cuts both ways.
Following Hurricane Ian's destruction, a wave of fraudulent roofing contractors targeted Southwest Florida homeowners — taking money upfront and vanishing before a single shingle was laid.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, unlicensed contractors swept through Houston collecting deposits for repairs they never intended to complete. The pattern — and what escrow would have changed.
Use structural protection from the start. Submit your project and get matched with contractors who work within an escrow framework.