By TESA CULLI
tesa.culli@register-news.com
MT. VERNON —
Attorney General Lisa Madigan has filed a lawsuit in Jefferson County against an Irvington home repair and remodeling contractor alleging he defrauded consumers of more than $16,000.
Madigan was in Mt. Vernon on Thursday, and said her office receives between 31,000 and 32,000 valid consumer complaints on home construction fraud annually.
“We are constantly training and trying to educate people about all types of scams,” Madigan said. “We encourage people to talk to their friends and family about who they have used in the past, and we think it best to go with someone who is well established.”
The lawsuit alleges that Brad Peters, doing business as Custom Design contracting in Irvington, accepted down payments and signed contracts with customers then either didn’t start or complete work. Peters allegedly also failed to provide the required detailed and itemized proposal for work and allegedly contracted for roofing work without having a roofing contractors license or have proper paperwork showing homeowners received pamphlets required by law, according to the complaint. The lawsuit charges Peters with violating the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Practices Act and the Illinois Home Repair and Remodeling Act by failing to complete the repair work and refusing to provide refunds to consumers.
Madigan said the lawsuit was filed in response to two complaints from Jefferson County residents about Peters’ work. The complaints were received through the Attorney General’s Consumer Fraud Bureau.
The lawsuit, which is being handled by Assistant Attorney General Jeffrey Feltman, asks for a prohibition against Peters from engaging in the home repair trade in Illinois; an order of him to pay restitution to consumers; an order to pay a civil fine of $50,000 as well as additional penalties of $50,000 for each violation found to have been committed with the intent to defraud; and pay court costs and costs of the investigation.
Madigan said consumers need to carefully check contractors before making any payments for work. She also recommends consumers avoid home repair fraud by checking references provided by contractors, with her office and the Better Business Bureau to see if complaints on the contractor have been previously filed.
“Always get a written estimate,” Madigan said. “Never give people cash. Never make a full payment and it’s preferable to pay with a check or credit card so you can stop payments.”
