November 2023

PRESIDENT’S CORNER Tony Nardone, MBA, PCAM 2023 CAI-NJ PRESIDENT CORNER PROPERTY MANAGEMENT, LLC, AAMC

L iving in a close-knit community can be a wonderful experience. It often means forming lasting relationships with neighbors and enjoying a sense of security that comes with knowing your surroundings. However, in any community, there can be bad actors seeking to take advantage of the trust and familiarity that comes with communal living. Scammers often target community living environments, preying on unsuspecting residents for financial gain. In this column, we’ll explore various scams that can occur in community living and provide tips on how to protect yourself from falling victim to them. 1. Home Improvement Scams Home improvement scams are prevalent in community living settings, where residents may be looking to enhance their properties. Scammers may pose as contractors, offering to make repairs or renovations, and then disappear after receiving payment. To protect yourself: a. Verify credentials: Always check the contractor’s credentials, including licenses and insurance. Ask for references and contact them to gauge their reliability. b. Get written estimates: Avoid verbal agreements. Demand written contracts that include a detailed breakdown of costs, materials, project timelines and ask for copies of insurance and licenses. c. Pay in installments: Refrain from paying the full amount upfront. Establish a payment plan tied to project milestones to ensure the work is being completed satisfactorily. 2. Rental Scams Community living often involves rentals, such as apartments or vacation homes. Scammers create fraudulent listings for these properties, enticing renters to pay a deposit or the full rent. The property does not exist, and the money is lost. Protect yourself by: a. Verify the property: If the rental seems too good to be true, it probably is. Visit the property in person and meet the landlord before committing to any payments. b. Use trusted platforms: Utilize reputable rental platforms with verified listings and user reviews. Be cautious of deals that are only available through private communication. c. Avoid wire transfers: Scammers often request wire transfers or payment meth ods that are difficult to trace. Use secure payment methods, such as credit cards or online payment systems. 3. Utility Bill Scams Scammers impersonate utility providers, demanding immediate payment or threatening disconnection. To avoid falling for utility bill scams: CONTINUES ON PAGE 52

CAI-NJ TEAM

ANGELA KAVANAUGH CHAPTER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ANGELA@CAINJ.ORG JACLYN OSKIERKO DIRECTOR, CONFERENCE & EVENTS JACLYN@CAINJ.ORG ROBIN SURGENT DIRECTOR, MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT ROBIN@CAINJ.ORG BROOKE STOPPIELLO-NEVINS COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

BROOKE@CAINJ.ORG JENNIFER FARRELL PROGRAM MANAGER JENNIFER@CAINJ.ORG

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ADDRESS CAI-NJ

500 HARDING ROAD FREEHOLD, NJ 07728 PHONE 609-588-0030 FAX 609-588-0040 WEB WWW.CAINJ.ORG EMAIL INFO@CAINJ.ORG

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NOVEMBER 2023