Collecting from a scammer contractor
I hired a contractor and paid $6k upfront three years ago. He never did any work and disappeared. I later found out he’s been scamming people for years and has prior felony convictions. I took him to small claims court and received a default judgment in my favor. I then sent the judgment to a collections agency, they contacted him several times, he told them to stop calling. They said they can’t continue because it is considered a "cease-and-desist" and they could be exposed to harassment claims if continued.
Has anyone successfully collected on a judgment in a situation like this? What methods or legal processes actually worked for you? This guy clearly knows how to exploit the system.
Most Popular Reply
Find a pay for performance GC. Don't give someone a deposit. Work gets done then pay in draws that ensure items are completed up to standards and code. Contractors are protected by lien rights so a deposit isn't required if the contractor is financially sound.