Got bugs? Need your house painted? Driveway need repaving? These could be scammers!

Summertime seems to really bring out scammers. Recently, I had a guy knock on my door who said he represented a pest control company that I'd never heard of. He looked rather professional, and told me how wasps were beginning to build nests near the gutters of my house. I bet he told that story to all the homeowners in the neighborhood. The dead giveaway was when he stammered during his pitch, and got flustered. He explained that the company was going to be in the neighborhood for the next week debugging several homes, which means he could give me a great deal on eradicating those pesky wasp nests. Don't buy into it, my fellow homeowners. Do the research first!

According to the Southeast-Brewster Patch, New York Attorney General, Eric T. Schneiderman said that the most popular summertime scams revolve around home improvement projects like water proofing and paint jobs. If you think you've been scammed, call the Consumer Complaint Hotline at 1-800-771-7755 or online at ag.ny.gov.

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TIPS TO PROTECT YOURSELF

1. Always be suspicious about unsolicited offers from contractors. Check out the Better Business Bureau before you even consider hiring a contractor.

2. Get references

3. Use local companies who have a verifiable address in town.

4. Try and get three estimates for the work you want done.

5. Check with the town to make sure you have the correct permits.

6. Make sure the company you're hiring is insured.

7. Check the quality of the materials, which means sometimes the best estimate is not necessarily the lowest estimate.

♦"Isn't having your own home the absolute best!" this blogger said with a heavy twinge of sarcasm.

Listen to Ethan Carey on the Ethan & Lou Show weekdays from 5:30-10AM on 95.1 FM. You can listen online at i95rock.com/listen-live/ or by downloading the radioPupapp for your mobile device.

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