Offered a "Free" Roof Inspection...Then Caused the Damage Themselves
Offered a "Free" Roof Inspection...Then Caused the Damage Themselves
The scam that's made home insurance costs go through the roof
The scam that's made home insurance costs go through the roof
The Friendly Knock
The Friendly Knock
It was a sunny weekday afternoon in the Hudson Valley. Then came the knock.
A young guy in a branded polo shirt and clipboard smile said he was “doing free roof inspections for the neighborhood” after last week’s storm. He claimed to be from a local roofing company working a few blocks over in Newburgh. The homeowner—let’s call her Lisa—was a little suspicious, but he was polite, professional, and hey… it was just an inspection, right?
Lisa let him up.
It was a sunny weekday afternoon in the Hudson Valley. Then came the knock.
A young guy in a branded polo shirt and clipboard smile said he was “doing free roof inspections for the neighborhood” after last week’s storm. He claimed to be from a local roofing company working a few blocks over in Newburgh. The homeowner—let’s call her Lisa—was a little suspicious, but he was polite, professional, and hey… it was just an inspection, right?
Lisa let him up.
“See That? That’s Damage.” (Except It Wasn’t)
“See That? That’s Damage.” (Except It Wasn’t)
Ten minutes later, the guy was back at the door, phone in hand.
He scrolled through zoomed-in shots of cracked shingles, loose flashing, and what looked like a dark patch of moisture.
“Honestly, you’re lucky I caught this when I did,” he said.
“This could turn into a major leak with the next storm. Good news is—we can take care of it fast, and it may even be covered by insurance.”
Lisa’s stomach dropped. The roof was only 12 years old. She hadn’t seen a single leak. But the pictures made her doubt herself. And the urgency in his tone… it made her feel irresponsible if she didn’t act.
What she didn’t know?
He had caused the damage himself—with a pry bar and a foot on a vulnerable ridge shingle.
Ten minutes later, the guy was back at the door, phone in hand.
He scrolled through zoomed-in shots of cracked shingles, loose flashing, and what looked like a dark patch of moisture.
“Honestly, you’re lucky I caught this when I did,” he said.
“This could turn into a major leak with the next storm. Good news is—we can take care of it fast, and it may even be covered by insurance.”
Lisa’s stomach dropped. The roof was only 12 years old. She hadn’t seen a single leak. But the pictures made her doubt herself. And the urgency in his tone… it made her feel irresponsible if she didn’t act.
What she didn’t know?
He had caused the damage himself—with a pry bar and a foot on a vulnerable ridge shingle.
From Free Inspection to Full Scam
From Free Inspection to Full Scam
The contract was ready right there in the truck. Lisa would only need to sign one document—just to let them speak with her insurance on her behalf.
“We’ll handle the whole claim. No out-of-pocket cost. We’ve done this for your neighbors.”
What followed was a whirlwind:
A claim was submitted with photos of the damage (the ones he created).
A patchy crew showed up two days later, working with speed but not much precision.
They replaced a small section, not the whole roof—but still invoiced the insurance company for full replacement.
Lisa had no idea. It was “taken care of.”
Until her next insurance premium went up.
Until she realized the warranty she thought she had didn’t exist.
Until the same shingles started lifting again—only now, the damage was real.
The contract was ready right there in the truck. Lisa would only need to sign one document—just to let them speak with her insurance on her behalf.
“We’ll handle the whole claim. No out-of-pocket cost. We’ve done this for your neighbors.”
What followed was a whirlwind:
A claim was submitted with photos of the damage (the ones he created).
A patchy crew showed up two days later, working with speed but not much precision.
They replaced a small section, not the whole roof—but still invoiced the insurance company for full replacement.
Lisa had no idea. It was “taken care of.”
Until her next insurance premium went up.
Until she realized the warranty she thought she had didn’t exist.
Until the same shingles started lifting again—only now, the damage was real.
The Reddit Reality Check
The Reddit Reality Check
When Lisa shared her story online—frustrated, embarrassed, and unsure of what just happened—Redditors chimed in fast:
“This is textbook storm-chaser behavior. They’re in and out of towns like ghosts.”
“Never let someone you didn’t call up onto your roof.”
“They cause the damage, then ‘rescue’ you from it.”
Others even suggested pulling police reports in her area. Turns out, several homes had been hit by similar scams in neighboring towns like Tarrytown and Monroe.
When Lisa shared her story online—frustrated, embarrassed, and unsure of what just happened—Redditors chimed in fast:
“This is textbook storm-chaser behavior. They’re in and out of towns like ghosts.”
“Never let someone you didn’t call up onto your roof.”
“They cause the damage, then ‘rescue’ you from it.”
Others even suggested pulling police reports in her area. Turns out, several homes had been hit by similar scams in neighboring towns like Tarrytown and Monroe.
How to Spot the Scam Before It Happens
How to Spot the Scam Before It Happens
Lisa’s story isn’t rare. We’ve heard it across Westchester and Orange County, especially after summer storms or winter thaw cycles. Here’s what every homeowner should know:
🚩 Red Flags to Watch For:
They knocked on your door without you contacting them.
They say your roof is “urgent” or “unsafe” without a full report.
They want you to sign something “just to start the claim.”
They offer to “speak directly to your insurance.”
If it sounds too easy—or too urgent—it probably is. Real roofing pros don’t pressure, and they sure don’t pry up your shingles to win a job.
Lisa’s story isn’t rare. We’ve heard it across Westchester and Orange County, especially after summer storms or winter thaw cycles. Here’s what every homeowner should know:
🚩 Red Flags to Watch For:
They knocked on your door without you contacting them.
They say your roof is “urgent” or “unsafe” without a full report.
They want you to sign something “just to start the claim.”
They offer to “speak directly to your insurance.”
If it sounds too easy—or too urgent—it probably is. Real roofing pros don’t pressure, and they sure don’t pry up your shingles to win a job.
🤝 Brightside’s Promise
We don’t knock on doors. We don’t invent problems. We don’t make you feel dumb for asking questions.
We inspect when asked. We walk roofs respectfully. We photograph what’s real and explain it clearly—no fear tactics, no pressure, no mystery paperwork.
Because roof work isn’t just about shingles—it’s about trust.
Got a hunch something’s not right up top? Let’s take a look!
Got a hunch something’s not right up top? Let’s take a look!
Got a hunch something’s not right up top? Let’s take a look!
