Scams, and how to hire a contractor safely
Almost every scam works the same way: a stranger creates a hurry and asks for money in a form that cannot be taken back — gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency or cash to a courier. Hang up and call back on a number you already know. In Massachusetts, a home-improvement contractor needs a written contract and may take no more than one-third of the price as a deposit.
- Hang up, then call back on a number you already know.
- No real agency or bank asks for gift cards, wires, crypto or cash couriers.
- “Don’t tell your family” is always a lie.
- Contractors: written contract, registration number, deposit no more than one-third.
- If money has gone, call the bank first — speed matters.
National Elder Fraud Hotline — a case manager helps you report
New: the latest scam alerts on the Cape, town by town, and how to check a contractor, advisor or agency.
Key facts
| Contractor deposit limit (MA) | One-third of the price, or the cost of special-order materials |
|---|---|
| Right to cancel a contract signed at home | Until midnight of the third business day |
| Report abuse or exploitation of someone 60+ | Adult Protective Services, 1-800-922-2275, 24/7 |
What are the three rules that stop most scams?
- Hang up, then call back on a number you already know — from your bank card, your statement, or this directory. Never the number the caller gives you.
- Nobody real asks to be paid in gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency or cash handed to a courier. Not the IRS, not Medicare, not your bank, not the police.
- Anyone who says “don’t tell your family” is lying. Tell your family.
Which scams reach Cape homes?
“Grandma, it’s me — I’m in trouble”
A grandchild in jail or hospital, needing money today, sometimes with a “lawyer” on the line. Hang up and call the grandchild or their parent directly.
The government is calling
Social Security, Medicare, the IRS or the police, saying your number is suspended or there is a warrant. Agencies write first and never demand payment by phone. Medicare scams peak during Open Enrollment in the autumn.
Your computer has a virus
A pop-up or call telling you to phone “support” or let someone onto your computer. Turn the computer off. Don’t call the number on the screen.
Your bank’s fraud department
Asking you to “move money to a safe account” or read out a code sent by text. Your bank will never ask for either. Call the number on your card.
The contractor at the door
After a storm, someone noticed your roof, chimney or driveway and can start today for cash. Real contractors are booked weeks ahead.
The new friend online
A romance or friendship that moves quickly to money, an emergency or an “investment”. Talk to someone you trust before sending anything.
The house offer
Letters or calls offering cash for your home, or “help” with a deed. Some are legitimate investors; some are not. Never sign anything about the house without a lawyer. See how to read a cash offer letter.
How do I hire a contractor safely in Massachusetts?
- Check registration: search “Check if your contractor is a registered Home Improvement Contractor” on mass.gov. It takes a minute.
- A written contract with the contractor’s registration number, start and finish dates, a detailed description of the work and materials, the total price and the payment schedule.
- A deposit of no more than one-third of the price, or the cost of special-order materials.
- No blank spaces when you sign.
- The contractor pulls the building permit, in their name.
- Get two or three quotes for anything large, and references you actually call.
If you signed at home rather than at the contractor’s place of business, you can cancel in writing until midnight of the third business day.
How can a family protect a parent without taking over?
- Agree a family rule: nobody sends money in a hurry without calling one named person first.
- Ask the bank about a “trusted contact” and account alerts. Many banks and brokerages let a customer name someone they may call if they suspect exploitation.
- Freeze credit at the three credit bureaus. It is free and stops new accounts being opened.
- Register on the Do Not Call list, and consider a call-blocking phone.
- Put the papers in place — a durable power of attorney lets a trusted person step in properly. See the papers every family needs.
- Watch for the signs: new “friends”, secrecy about money, unpaid bills, gift-card receipts, unusual withdrawals.
Money has gone. What do I do in the first hour?
- Call your bank or card company now, on the number on your card. The sooner they know, the better the chance of stopping or recovering a payment.
- Change passwords you gave out. If someone got onto your computer, have it checked before using online banking again.
- Report it. It is not your fault, and reporting helps recover money and stops the next one.
| National Elder Fraud Hotline — a case manager helps you report National Elder Fraud Hotline | (833) 372-8311 |
| Local, free consumer help Consumer Assistance Council | (508) 771-0700 |
| Massachusetts Attorney General Massachusetts Attorney General consumer hotline | (617) 727-8400 |
| Federal Trade Commission FTC — report a scam | (877) 382-4357 |
| If someone they know is exploiting an older person (24/7; phone reports can be anonymous) Massachusetts Adult Protective Services (abuse of adults 60+) | 1-800-922-2275 |
| Free legal help for people 60+ South Coastal Counties Legal Services (SCCLS) | 800-244-9023 |
Mistakes families make
- Staying on the line “to be polite”. Hanging up is the right answer.
- Calling back the number in the message or pop-up.
- Feeling too embarrassed to tell the bank or family — the delay is what loses the money.
- Paying a contractor in full, in cash, before work starts.
- Assuming only strangers exploit older people. Often it is someone they know.
For professionals and organisations
Banks, police departments, Councils on Aging, clergy: the three rules and the first-hour list are designed to be printed and left by the phone. Adult Protective Services takes reports 24 hours a day. See how to use these guides.
Common questions
How much can a contractor ask for as a deposit in Massachusetts?
No more than one-third of the total contract price, or the actual cost of special-order or custom materials, under the Massachusetts home-improvement contractor law. A written contract with the contractor’s registration number is required.
Can I cancel a home-improvement contract in Massachusetts?
If you signed somewhere other than the contractor’s place of business, such as your home, you can cancel in writing until midnight of the third business day.
Who do I call if an older person is being exploited in Massachusetts?
Adult Protective Services, 1-800-922-2275, 24 hours a day. Phone reports can be anonymous. In an emergency, call 911.
What should I do right after being scammed?
Call your bank or card company immediately on the number on your card, change any passwords you shared, then report it to the National Elder Fraud Hotline, the Attorney General or the FTC.
Does Medicare call to update your card?
No. Medicare does not call to update cards or sell plans. Anyone asking for your Medicare number by phone should be treated as a scammer.
General information about how things work in Massachusetts and on Cape Cod, not legal, tax, financial or medical advice. Figures and rules change: the date each fact was checked is at the top of the page. How we check facts · Report a mistake.