BUFFALO, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman has filed a lawsuit against Phillip Fox, a Western New York home improvement contractor who allegedly scammed dozens of consumers.
Schneiderman alleges Fox would take money from consumers but never supply the needed and paid for work. The few times he started work on a project, his work was purportedly shoddy. Additionally, Fox allegedly targeted the elderly and charged them exorbitant prices for work that did not need to be done.
“To defraud hardworking New Yorkers who are seeking a home improvement contractor is illegal and wrong, but to deliberately target the elderly when scamming consumers is reprehensible,” Schneiderman said. “We will keep working to ensure that fraudulent home contractors who prey on unsuspecting New Yorkers will be held accountable.”
The court granted Schneiderman’s request to freeze Fox’s bank accounts and bar him from accepting advance payment from consumers until the case is completed. Schneiderman’s office seeks an order banning Fox from the home improvement industry until he pays a $250,000 bond. It also seeks reimbursement for consumers, as well as civil penalties.