Home repairs rarely happen at a convenient time. A leaking pipe, broken garage door, faulty air conditioner, or electrical issue can send homeowners rushing online in search of help. Unfortunately, scammers know this, and some have become surprisingly sophisticated at making fake businesses appear local and trustworthy.
The Federal Trade Commission recently announced legal action against a company accused of creating fake online business listings for home repair services across the country. According to the FTC, these listings allegedly used fabricated business names, fake addresses, and manufactured reviews to convince consumers they were hiring legitimate local companies. In some cases, customers reportedly encountered unqualified technicians or no technician at all.