Why Would a Termite Inspector Lie About Termites or Damage?

Termites can cause a homeowner thousands of dollars of damage to their home. Many people will enlist the help of a termite inspector to check their current or potential home for termites. Unfortunately, some termite inspectors will attempt to conceal whether a property is infested with termites.

There are several reasons why a termite inspector might lie about the existence of termites. If a termite home inspector deceived you or a family member, you should consult with an experienced Baltimore termite infestation lawyer today. At Whitney, LLP, our termite damage lawyers can help you hold a fraudulent home inspector liable for their actions. Our firm is here to explain why a termite inspector would lie about termites or damage.

3 Common Termite Inspection Scams

A deceptive termite inspector may lie about a termite infestation if they perceive a way to profit from the situation. Under other circumstances, an individual that is not trained or has experience has a legitimate termite inspector may attempt to pose as one to get you to purchase termite inspection services. That is why it is important to learn to spot the signs of a termite inspection scam.

Cold Calling

As mentioned, one common termite scam is calling a homeowner while impersonating a termite inspector. This person will likely tell you that they work for an extermination company and that it is time for you to receive an inspection. Unless you have received a termite inspection from this company in the past, it is wise to assume that this caller could be attempting to deceive you.

Another similar scam is when a person knocks on your door and claims to be a representative of a termite control company. This alleged representative may  claim that your neighbors are dealing with a termite infestation that could easily spread to your home and offer to handle the problem. It is rare for a pest control business to employ these types of practices, so you should investigate the company before you even consider their services.

Planted Termites

Planting termites in your home is another possible scam that some termite inspectors may attempt to use. This scam is usually perpetrated when a fraudulent termite inspector will offer to inspect your property for free. The inspector will then return to you with a termite or multiple termites and inform you that you have a serious infestation. What some homeowners don’t know is that the inspector likely brought those termites into your home to trick you into purchasing their services.

After planting evidence of termites, the inspector will likely offer their extermination services on the spot. Fearful of the termite infestation spreading, the homeowner often pays the inspector to handle the problem immediately. Be wary of inspectors that not only offer free inspections but that also have their extermination equipment readily available.

Partial Termite Extermination

Another deceptive practice that fraudulent inspectors often use is showing the homeowner that they have termite damage and informing them that they can handle the issue. Once the homeowner agrees to purchase the inspector’s services, they will then use chemicals to exterminate only some of the termites in your home. The homeowner will then believe the issue was resolved and will be unaware that the infestation and damage  will continue to spread.

The termite inspection company may also try to contract with you for them to perform an annual inspection and/or treatment. To avoid being caught in this endless loop, you should investigate the pest control company before you hire them to perform any work. If you are unsure about the company’s reputation, you should find a reputable company to perform an additional inspection and to exterminate the termites.

Our Maryland Termite Inspection Fraud Attorneys are Ready to Work with You

If you or a family member received a fraudulent home inspection involving termites or termite damage in your home, you should contact an experienced Maryland termite inspection fraud attorney. The dedicated legal team at Whitney, LLP understands the shock of being a victim of fraud and we are prepared to fight for you.

Our attorneys possess legal experience in successfully handling termite cases, and we can use that knowledge to represent you.

To schedule a consultation, call Whitney, LLP at (410) 583-8000.