Madigan
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) - Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan is suing four Chicago-area home repair contractors, alleging they acted as unlicensed insurance adjusters.
Madigan also says the contractors defrauded consumers out of more than $165,000 while not completing promised repair work. The lawsuits were filed Monday in Cook County Circuit Court against Blue Rose Restoration of Roselle, Amazing Exteriors of Algonquin, Team-Mark Construction of Chicago and AP Contractors of Berwyn.
The companies preyed on consumers in need of emergency repairs after storms, Madigan claims.
"In the wake of severe storms, these con artists flood into local communities to take advantage of stressed homeowners, often pressuring them to make snap decisions about repairing the damage-even in instances when no damage was done," Madigan said.
"Homeowners who are confronting significant storm-related damage must be extremely wary of door-to-door solicitations. More often than not, these companies are nothing more than scam operations."
Specifically, the companies acted as insurance adjusters despite not being licensed to negotiate damages with homeowners' insurance companies, it is alleged. Madigan also says the companies offered to complete needed repairs but required up-front payment, then never completed the jobs.
The lawsuits seek restitution for allegedly affected homeowners in five counties and ask the court to ban the defendants from operating home repair businesses in the state. Madigan is also seeking civil penalties.
From Legal Newsline: Reach John O'Brien by e-mail at jobrienwv@gmail.com.