Home repair services alert issued
AUGUSTA — Following reported concerns in Waterville regarding questionable door-to-door selling of lawn and driveway paving services, Maine’s Department of Professional and Financial Regulation is urging consumers to use caution when purchasing merchandise or home repair services from door-to-door salespersons.
Commissioner Anne L. Head reminds consumers to check the license status of any door-to-door seller of products or services and to report concerns or possible violations of law to local police officials and the Attorney General’s Office. Door-to-door sellers are typically required to be licensed through the Office of Licensing and Registration at the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation. Home repair workers soliciting outside their home municipality and transient merchandise sellers without a permanent Maine address must be licensed.
“With improving weather and thoughts turning to lawn and home projects, Maine consumers need to be aware that home repair and door-to-door selling scams may be more prevalent this time of year,” Commissioner Head commented. “We should all be cautious and well-informed when purchasing products or agreeing to repairs from individuals who show up at our door.”
The Office of Licensing and Registration’s Transient Sellers Program (www.maine.gov/pfr/professionallicensing/professions/transient_sellers) and the Door-to-Door Home Repair Seller Program (www.maine.gov/pfr/professionallicensing/professions/door_to_door) maintain and provide license status information. They also compile and make available a history of disciplinary actions taken against licensees. These licensing programs can be contacted online or by telephone at 624-8624.
The Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division can be reached by calling 800-436-2131. More contact information is available at www.maine.gov/ag/consumer/complaints. Details about financial scams are available on the Attorney General’s Web site at www.maine.gov/ag/consumer.
Unlicensed door-to-door sellers can obtain information about becoming licensed by visiting www.maine.gov/pfr/professionallicensing/professions/door_to_door/repair.htm.
