SWANSEA — Lt. Mark Foley reports that the Swansea Police Department recently charged an unlicensed contractor with larceny and other charges and is asking any potential victims to come forward.
THOMAS FURTADO, AGE 53, OF TAUNTON was issued a summons and charged with:
- Larceny Over $1,200
- Home Improvement Contractor Violation
- Home Improvement Contractor Unlicensed
FURTADO was arraigned in Fall River District Court on Wednesday, April 3, and ordered held on $15,000 bail. His next court date is scheduled for May 3.
In February, a Swansea homeowner filed a report with Swansea Police reporting that in September 2023 they had entered into an agreement with FURTADO to do renovations on their house.
Between September and November, the homeowner gave FURTADO three checks totaling $25,000. The work was never started and after numerous attempts by the homeowner to get FURTADO to begin, the homeowner filed a police report.
Following a subsequent investigation by Swansea Police Patrolman Andrew Pelletier, it was determined that FURTADO did not have a valid Home Improvement Contractor License. As a result, FURTADO was issued a summons to appear in court.
Any Swansea residents who believe they may be a victim of FURTADO are asked to contact Det. Sgt. Jonathan Boyd at 508-674-8464 ext.147 or jonathan.boyd@swanseapolice.com.
Avoiding Scams
The Swansea Police Department also urges residents to always work with licensed and insured contractors and wishes to provide the following tips regarding home improvement contractor scams from the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation:
- Scammers often approach potential victims for home improvement scams by phone, email or by traveling door-to-door, and may claim they’ve been performing work locally and have surplus material.
- Scammers frequently offer their services at a very low price.
- Check to make sure the contractor is registered with the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation by using its home improvement contractor registration look-up service. Request a business card or website for the contractor’s business.
- Be wary if the individual is driving an unmarked motor vehicle.
- Request a copy of the company’s standard contract.
- Inquire about whether the company will provide a warranty and how long that warranty will last.
- Never pay more than one-third of the total cost of a service upfront in cash, and only do so once you have verified that this person is a registered home improvement contractor and you have a contract.
These are allegations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty.
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