Turn To Tara: New details, more potential victims in fireplace repair company scam
Potential victims claim that they paid thousands of dollars up front for fireplace repairs that were never finished or never started at all.
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More people who claim they were scammed by a Long Island fireplace repair company have come forward one month after the Turn To Tara team first shed light on the issue.
Those potential victims claim that they paid thousands of dollars up front for fireplace repairs that were never finished or never started at all.
John Capece, the Nassau County consumer commissioner, told senior reporter Tara Rosenblum that the man at the center of the investigation – Raheel Imam – has been operating under multiple names.
"He's a frequent flyer with us," he said. "He's not a legitimate businessman."
Through a Freedom of Information request, the Turn To Tara team identified 14 open complaints against Imam, along with 12 violations that date back to 2020. Most of them were for operating without a home improvement license.
"He's accumulated $41,000 in fines from this office for being in violation of the consumer affair laws of Nassau County, " says Capece.
The commissioner also said that Imam was arrested in a joint sting with the Nassau District Attorney's Office back in 2022 and that he was listed on the Suffolk County Contractor Wall of Shame.
The DA's office told the Turn To Tara team its investigation is ongoing.
AN OFFER TO HELP
While that process plays out, there has been an unexpected offer of help.
Longtime Bohemia fireplace business owner Michael Sapio saw News 12's story and said he was so troubled by what he saw, he's offering to help victims.
"It bothers me to see people get taken advantage of, especially in an industry I've been part of for so long," says Sapio. "I just figured...maybe I can help out...if they didn't get it fixed, we would gladly go in and try to help them out...I would do it pro bono...for free."
RESEARCH BEFORE HIRING
Capece says the most powerful tool consumers have is checking a contractor's license before any money changes hands. He says that before you hire someone, make sure they're licensed and there's no complaints.
Capece says all you have to do is visit the Nassau County Consumer Affairs website to check a contractor before you hire.
Anyone who was impacted by this company or has a similar problem, can reach Tara Rosenblum by clicking here.
