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Consumer Alert Update – Unlicensed Home Renovator Faces 28 Charges Under the Fair Trading Act

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Edmonton, May 1, 2001 – John Alexander Lazerman has been charged by Alberta Government Services with 28 counts of Fair Trading Act violations while soliciting door-to-door contracts for prepaid home renovation jobs. These charges wrap-up the investigation announced in a February 8, 2001 consumer alert to media.

Charges against Lazerman include operating without a prepaid contracting business licence, failing to provide a refund to consumers who canceled contracts within 15 days, failing to meet the legislated information requirements for contracts and committing an unfair practice.

Alberta Government Services has a Restraining Order against Lazerman prohibiting him from operating in the prepaid contracting business either personally or as a business owner unless he has a valid provincial business licence. Lazerman continues to conduct business, using the names JH Boy Concrete or JH Boy Concrete and Siding, even though he does not have a provincial Prepaid Contractors licence or bond.

Lazerman was served with the 28 charges in Westlock Provincial Court on April 11, 2001 and plea dates are scheduled in May. Lazerman was also charged by the RCMP for home renovation fraud and recently arrested at the home of an Edmonton senior where he was doing renovation work. A trial date for the RCMP charges has been set for September 6, 2001.

In all, Alberta Government Services received complaints from 10 consumers who entered into prepaid contracts worth a total value of $26,045, many of them seniors in the Edmonton, Westlock and Red Deer areas.

Any other homeowners who believe they have signed a contract with John Lazerman are requested to contact Government Services’ Consumer Information Centre toll-free at 1-877-427-4088.

In all cases, consumers are advised not to agree to any renovation work unless the full costs are disclosed in writing before the work is started and no money is paid until the work is done. If a home renovator demands any money up front, consumers are entitled to see proof of an active Prepaid Contractors licence as required under the Fair Trading Act.

Consumers are encouraged to contact Alberta Government Services to check the licences and bonds of home renovators before signing a contract. A free tipsheet called Home Renovations and Repairs is also available at www.gov.ab.ca/gs located under Consumer Information.

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Shannon Larkins - Alberta Government Services - (780) 415-6051