Authorities in Rockland County are alerting homeowners about a roofing scam where fraudulent contractors are swindling victims out of tens of thousands of dollars.
Scammers have been approaching homeowners, falsely claiming urgent structural repairs are needed. They persuade victims to sign contracts for unnecessary and often overpriced work.
In one case, a homeowner was tricked into signing a fraudulent $78,000 contract by scammers posing as Gikas Roofing, a well-known local company. Another victim paid $60,000 for an unnecessary roof replacement.
Ann Bodnaruk, one of the victims, shared her experience to prevent others from falling prey to similar scams.
“A group of men came to my door and insisted my roof was in immediate danger of collapsing. They told me it had to be replaced right away,” Bodnaruk recalled.
Rockland County’s Department of Consumer Affairs is currently investigating a fraudulent roofing operation that has scammed at least three homeowners in the past month. The scammers have been using multiple business names to carry out their scheme.
Bodnaruk was handed an itemized invoice for $60,000 worth of supposed repairs. She paid the full amount upfront, believing the work was necessary.
“When we intervened, we saw that they had completely stripped the back side of her roof and were removing rafters around the chimney—damage that wasn’t needed,” said Riley Topper of Gikas Roofing. “And with rain expected in the coming days, her home could have been severely damaged.”
The fraudsters even went so far as to impersonate Gikas Roofing, instructing homeowners to write checks in the company’s name to appear more legitimate.
“We’ve built a strong reputation in this community, and these scammers are exploiting that trust to take advantage of people,” said Paul Mihalis of Gikas Roofing.
Rockland County Consumer Protection Director Kimberly Von Ronn warned that these scams follow a familiar pattern, with unlicensed contractors using scare tactics to pressure homeowners into making rushed and costly decisions.
“Our department has successfully impounded a vehicle involved in the scam, and we’re working closely with Orangetown Building and Police Departments, as well as Gikas Roofing, to hold these fraudsters accountable. We urge homeowners to stay vigilant and verify any unsolicited contractors before agreeing to work.”
Officials advise residents to always research contractors, check for proper licensing, and avoid making large upfront payments to unknown businesses. If approached by suspicious individuals, homeowners should report the incident to local authorities immediately.