An HVAC service call went wrong in Palm Coast after an 88-year-old woman paid $4,000 for the damaged ductwork to remain untouched in her attic. A Tampa man now faces charges for fraud.
Here’s what to know
According to WJXT News4JAX, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office arrested 32-year-old Tampa resident Amjad Otor and accused him of operating an organized fraud scheme and stealing from a person 65 or older.
Investigators said the case began in February, when the woman hired a business using the name Universal Air Duct Cleaning LLC to perform duct cleaning at her Palm Coast home. Deputies said two men arrived in an unmarked dark Chevrolet pickup truck, cleaned only part of the system, and charged her $500.
The men then allegedly said sections of the duct system needed to be replaced and offered to do the job for $5,000, asking for half up front and requesting that some of it be paid in cash.
Authorities allege Otor used a false name, collected $1,000 in cash, and showed the woman a piece of ductwork he claimed would be installed. He later picked up two more checks that totaled $3,000 after saying the work had been completed.
The woman later asked her handyman to look things over, and he found nothing indicating that anyone had even gone into the attic. After the company stopped taking or returning her calls, she reported fraud in March.
More background
Detectives linked Otor to the job by tracing the pickup truck used during the service call and the victim’s checks, which were deposited into the company’s bank account.
With help from Seniors vs. Crime — which WJXT News4JAX said is a partnership between the sheriff’s office and the Florida Attorney General’s Office — a certified inspector examined the ductwork and determined it had not been replaced.
WJXT News4JAX also reported that the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation said the company is no longer operating, does not hold a current license, and carries an “F” rating from the Better Business Bureau, along with multiple unfinished work complaints.
The sheriff’s office obtained an arrest warrant on August 12. The investigation is still ongoing, and additional charges are pending.
What can be done?
There are several warning signs commonly associated with contractor fraud that presented themselves in this case. Any time there is pressure to pay fast, requests for cash, unclear assurances, and promises involving parts of a home that owners cannot easily inspect themselves, it is advised to proceed with caution.
Officials told WJXT News4JAX that homeowners should confirm a contractor’s state license before work starts and get a written agreement that lays out the scope of the job, the price, and the expected completion date.
They also advised against large upfront payments and cash. Paying by check or credit card creates a record that can matter if a dispute develops later. Officials also said homeowners should hold off on final payment until they, or someone they trust, have confirmed the work is finished.
Homeowners are also urged to get signed lien releases when contractors say materials and labor have already been paid for. Without those releases, Florida law can leave a homeowner paying twice.
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