A group of contractors is traveling around targeting the elderly and overcharging them for snow removal. Last week they charged a 78-year-old man $4,800 for clearing the snow off his roof. Cops intervened after his daughter reported the ripoff and made them return the money and charge a more reasonable rate, $250.

This group’s MO is to cruise around in their truck and offer to help people, often the elderly clear their snow. The price isn’t agreed to beforehand and when the job is done they wallop the person with a massive bill.

This is why you should settle on a price first before letting a vendor start services. As they say, always look a gift snow shovel in the mouth.

Charged through the roof [Newburyport Daily News] (Thanks to Melanie!)

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