Attorney General Joseph A. Foster announces that the State has entered into an Assurance of Discontinuance with Scott Attridge, d/b/a Christian Construction and Tile, of Bedford, New Hampshire to resolve allegations that Mr. Attridge violated the State's Consumer Protection Act by falsely claiming to consumers that he was licensed and insured.

This past winter, Mr. Attridge had provided roof snow shoveling services to homeowners in Bedford. The allegations arose from a complaint that Mr. Attridge had given consumers a business card that claimed he was licensed as a home contractor and was also insured, when, in fact he was neither.  New Hampshire does not license home contractors and Mr. Attridge had no active insurance policy for the work he did for consumers.

The Consumer Protection Act prohibits any unfair or deceptive act or practice in the conduct of trade or commerce within this state.

Under the terms of the Assurance, Mr. Attridge must provide prospective customers with written proposals, he must apply prepayments collected from consumers for materials for their specific job, he must secure all appropriate permits and licenses for each job, he must comply with the Consumer Protection Act in all respects and he must make a payment toward the investigative costs of the Attorney General's investigation.

Consumers are cautioned to check references carefully when working with a home contractor and to verify claims of licensure and insurance.  A home owner can request proof of an active insurance policy prior to entering a contract.  That policy should be verified by calling the insurance company.

Consumers can call the Attorney General's Consumer Information Line at 1-888-468-4454 or file a complaint on-line at http://doj.nh.gov/consumer/complaints/index.htm.