Air Conditioning Repair/ Crooks take advantage of the Heat

Port St. Lucie building officials: Beware of AC repair scheme


PORT ST. LUCIE — Port St. Lucie building officials want the public to be on the watch for an air-conditioning repair scheme generally targeting the elderly.

The ploy starts with an unsolicited phone call where the caller pretends to be a homeowner's air-conditioner repair company calling for the annual maintenance or offering a deal on service, said Kevin Pierce, city of Port St. Lucie contractor licensing investigator.

Once the company gains access to the home and the air-conditioning unit, a technician inspects the unit. In one case, the technician told the homeowner the unit was leaking Freon and the homeowner could die from it or the federal government could arrest them, Pierce said.

None of that was true and in some cases there was nothing wrong with the units, Pierce said.

Since mid-2006 there have been four different contractors using the scheme, and Pierce said he has received about 10 complaints from people who were victims of the scheme, losing $2,000 to $3,700 on unneeded repairs.

"I want all people to be equipped with the information to help them avoid being scammed," Pierce said.

Anyone with knowledge of the scheme should call the Port St. Lucie Police Department at (772) 871-5000.

"You can't be embarrassed," Pierce said. "It's the same thing as any other crime against people."

•Beware of unsolicited phone calls. Ask callers to identify themselves and the name of the company they represent and their phone number.

•Get two or three written estimates.

•Don't allow anyone to start work without the necessary permit.

•Never pay all of the money at once but withhold final payment until the work can be inspected.

•Request to see the contractor's license.