Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita has filed a lawsuit alleging that an Indianapolis home improvement contractor is scamming Hoosiers by taking money from consumers as deposits, starting work, then abandoning projects without issuing refunds — leaving consumers with partially finished conditions they must pay someone else to fix.
The lawsuit alleges that Hank Eversole – doing business as All Services Construction and Nationwide Construction – has violated Indiana law through such misconduct.
“Hoosiers looking to make repairs or improvements to their homes shouldn’t have to worry about being shafted by unscrupulous contractors,” Attorney General Rokita said. “We will continue working to hold accountable any contractor trying to take advantage of hardworking homeowners in this manner.”
This lawsuit alleges that Hank Eversole violated the Indiana Deceptive Consumer Sales Act and the Indiana Home Improvement Act. Attorney General Rokita is seeking injunctive relief, consumer restitution, penalties, costs and other relief.
This is not the first time this year Attorney General Rokita has filed a lawsuit to protect consumers against contractors who take money and then fail to complete projects.
Earlier this year, Attorney General Rokita filed suit against Exact Loss Consulting, Storm Solutions Pros, and Adam Greer alleging that they entered into home improvement contracts with consumers for storm-related damage to their homes and then failed to complete the work as contracted and failed to comply with consumers’ requests for refunds.
Attorney General Rokita also obtained a judgment against another set of companies doing business as Quest Exteriors that repeatedly entered into contracts to perform concrete and other exterior work on Hoosiers’ homes and failed to complete the work.
To prevent the headache of being scammed by a contractor, Attorney General Rokita offers the following tips to avoid falling victim to a home repair scam:
- Ask your family, friends and co-workers for contractors they have used who have done good work.
- Before signing a contract or making a payment, contact the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division and the Better Business Bureau for complaint information on contractors you are considering.
- Get multiple bids from local contractors.
- Avoid contractors who spontaneously show up at your door offering a “bargain” price for painting, driveway sealing, roof repairs, etc.
- Never pay for the entire project before the work begins.
- Don’t make the final payment to the contractor until you know all suppliers of materials and all subcontractors have been paid.
If you ever suspect a scam of any type, file a complaint at indianaconsumer.com or call Attorney General Todd Rokita’s office at 1-800-382-5516.