NACA in the News: Costly Solar Energy Installation Scams on the Rise

Consumers’ Checkbook, Costly Solar Energy Installation Scams on the Rise

“’This is just the latest version of home contractor fraud, but a much more lucrative one,’ said Ira Rheingold, executive director of the National Association of Consumer Advocates (NACA). ‘We’re seeing people sold a bill of goods—financing that’s unfair, products that are defective, and installations that are poor.’

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‘Most people have no clue as to what they’re signing,’ NACA’s Rheingold told Checkbook. ‘They’re not seeing the full documents. They’re not seeing what rights they’re giving up, and they’re not seeing the loan terms.’

Sometimes, the contract is sent to the wrong email address, Rheingold said, making it impossible for the homeowner to review it or cancel within the three-day window guaranteed by the Federal Trade Commission’s Cooling-Off Rule.”