AARP expert warns Hawai‘i homeowners to beware of contractor fraud

Former prosecutor notes building fraud is common after disasters like Maui fires

Paul Greenwood, a former deputy district attorney, knows from experience that fake contractors are likely to come to Hawai‘i as Lahaina begins to rebuild after the devastating wildfires on Maui.

Greenwood, who specialized in crimes against older residents, successfully prosecuted fraudulent contractors after fires in 2007 destroyed 1,738 homes and burned more than 368,000 acres in San Diego County.

“Disasters unfortunately attract crooked contractors,” said Greenwood, who is on Maui for an AARP Hawai‘i Fight Fraud Together seminar. “They are looking for vulnerable homeowners.”

“Maui residents looking to rebuild should be especially alert for contractor fraud. But building and remodeling scams can happen to any of us anywhere in the state, and we all need to know what to do and what are the warning signs,” said Keali‘i Lopez, AARP Hawai`i state director.

Greenwood, who is an AARP Fraud Watch Network consultant, said fraudulent contractors try to convince homeowners that they can give them a discount and can complete the job quickly. “They try to persuade the homeowner that by trusting them, they will save money and bypass red tape.”

One of the biggest warning sign is high pressure sales tactics, he said. “Don’t be bullied into signing a contract. If they tell you the offer is only valid for 48 hours, that’s ridiculous,” Greenwood said.

“They (fraudulent contractors) will try any which method to persuade you that they are the right guy including senior discounts and fake home tests that claim to show leaks or termite activity” Greenwood said. “I prosecuted a guy who put flyers on the windshields of cars in church parking lots hoping to gain parishioner’s trust.”