: People will soon begin to hire companies to make sure yard maintenance is done, trees are trimmed and sprayed, and lawns prepared for growth. There are many trustworthy businesses with hard-earned reputations for honesty and quality lawn and tree service. Unfortunately, this is also a type of service that criminals use to take advantage of people, and often the victims are senior citizens. Some of the most common frauds originate with door-to-door offers to trim trees or do landscape work. Before considering a door-to-door offer for these services, verify that they have obtained a permit through the Amarillo Police Department. The permit must be carried by the individual and will be 8 ½ by 11 inch blue paper. Individuals who offer pesticide services must obtain a permit for commercial spraying through the Texas Department of Agriculture.
Asking those offering the service about their permits may help you identify someone who is just trying to take your money without completing the service or using substandard products. In addition, check with the Better Business Bureau at http://www.bbb.org/amarillo to look at the company’s record, before having any services done.
You can protect yourself from fraud by taking a few extra steps to be certain that you are working with a reputable business.
