A routine home upgrade took a shocking turn—He discovered a $100,000 loan in his name, but he never signed for it.
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What started as a simple home upgrade quickly spiraled into a financial nightmare.
One homeowner was stunned to find a six-figure loan in his name—complete with a signature he swears he never provided.
Now, he's left to untangle the mess, raising urgent questions about fraud, accountability, and the hidden risks of home improvement projects.
When Frank Trevino decided to make his San Antonio, Texas home more energy-efficient by installing solar panels, he envisioned a future of lower utility bills and a boost in property value.
"He told me my home would be energy efficient, my monthly bills would be lowered, and it would bring value to my home," Trevino told a local Texas news outlet, KENS. "He said they (the panels) would be paying for themselves."
What he didn't anticipate was being blindsided by a $100,000 loan bearing his name and a “signature” he claims he never provided.
Trevino's journey into the solar panel upgrade began with a persuasive sales pitch from Roof Fix, a company specializing in roof-related services.
Initially, the cost for measuring his roof was quoted at around $67,000, later reduced to $57,000. However, Trevino did not consent to these figures and verbally agreed to a more modest system estimated between $20,000 and $30,000.
The shock came when Trevino was presented with a loan contract from Mosaic, a lending company, for a staggering $106,614 to be repaid over 25 years.
“This is not what we agreed to at all,” Trevino told KENS. He insisted that his electronic signature was for the initial roof estimate, not for the solar panel installation."My name is on that paper but it is not my signature."
Despite having paid $6,400 towards the loan, Trevino ceased payments when the financial strain became unbearable.
You might be interested: You could be eligible for a piece of $5.8 million—no paperwork required! Find out how to claim your cash now
To add insult to injury, the installed solar panels were not even operational, leaving Trevino and his family to choose between servicing the loan or paying their electric bill.
He is now suing the company under the Texas Home Solicitation Act, which protects consumers from being sold a product at their residence and then having a loan executed within five days.
In Trevino's case, the loan was signed on the same day as the contract for the solar panels, a clear violation of the act. While Trevino doesn’t like this course of action, he claimed that he never wanted to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars for the solar panels even back then.
Mosaic's response to the allegations has been vague, stating that they work with homeowners to resolve concerns and have processed loan cancellations when warranted. "In the event a homeowner complains, we work with the homeowner to understand their concerns and seek to resolve such concerns," Mosaic said in a statement to KENS.
As we at The GrayVine advocate for the well-being and security of our readers, it's crucial to share strategies to prevent falling victim to similar scams:
1. Vet the contractor: Before agreeing to any work, research the company's reputation, check for licenses, and read reviews from other customers.
2. Get everything in writing: Ensure all quotes, agreements, and contracts are documented. Never rely solely on verbal agreements.
3. Understand your rights: Familiarize yourself with local consumer protection laws, like the Texas Home Solicitation Act, which may offer recourse in the event of fraudulent practices.
4. Monitor your credit: Regularly check your credit reports for any unauthorized loans or accounts opened in your name.
5. Secure your signature: Be cautious with electronic signatures and understand what you're signing. If in doubt, consult a legal professional.
6. Report suspicious activity: If you suspect identity theft or fraud, report it immediately to the authorities and consider placing a fraud alert on your credit file. You can also contact the Federal Trade Commission through their website or calling their hotline 1-877-438-4338.
Also read: Senior scammed out of $435K—protect your savings now!
Have you or someone you know ever encountered a home improvement scam or identity theft? What measures do you take to protect your personal information? Share your stories and tips in the comments below!
One homeowner was stunned to find a six-figure loan in his name—complete with a signature he swears he never provided.
Now, he's left to untangle the mess, raising urgent questions about fraud, accountability, and the hidden risks of home improvement projects.
When Frank Trevino decided to make his San Antonio, Texas home more energy-efficient by installing solar panels, he envisioned a future of lower utility bills and a boost in property value.
"He told me my home would be energy efficient, my monthly bills would be lowered, and it would bring value to my home," Trevino told a local Texas news outlet, KENS. "He said they (the panels) would be paying for themselves."
What he didn't anticipate was being blindsided by a $100,000 loan bearing his name and a “signature” he claims he never provided.
Trevino's journey into the solar panel upgrade began with a persuasive sales pitch from Roof Fix, a company specializing in roof-related services.
A homeowner in San Antonio, Texas, was shocked to discover a $100,000 loan had been taken out in his name without his consent for solar panels. Image source: KENS5 / Youtube.
Initially, the cost for measuring his roof was quoted at around $67,000, later reduced to $57,000. However, Trevino did not consent to these figures and verbally agreed to a more modest system estimated between $20,000 and $30,000.
The shock came when Trevino was presented with a loan contract from Mosaic, a lending company, for a staggering $106,614 to be repaid over 25 years.
“This is not what we agreed to at all,” Trevino told KENS. He insisted that his electronic signature was for the initial roof estimate, not for the solar panel installation."My name is on that paper but it is not my signature."
Despite having paid $6,400 towards the loan, Trevino ceased payments when the financial strain became unbearable.
You might be interested: You could be eligible for a piece of $5.8 million—no paperwork required! Find out how to claim your cash now
To add insult to injury, the installed solar panels were not even operational, leaving Trevino and his family to choose between servicing the loan or paying their electric bill.
He is now suing the company under the Texas Home Solicitation Act, which protects consumers from being sold a product at their residence and then having a loan executed within five days.
In Trevino's case, the loan was signed on the same day as the contract for the solar panels, a clear violation of the act. While Trevino doesn’t like this course of action, he claimed that he never wanted to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars for the solar panels even back then.
Mosaic's response to the allegations has been vague, stating that they work with homeowners to resolve concerns and have processed loan cancellations when warranted. "In the event a homeowner complains, we work with the homeowner to understand their concerns and seek to resolve such concerns," Mosaic said in a statement to KENS.
The company that sold the solar panels to the homeowner offered an initial quote that was significantly reduced before a much higher loan contract was signed with the homeowner's name but allegedly not his signature. Image source: KENS5 / Youtube.
As we at The GrayVine advocate for the well-being and security of our readers, it's crucial to share strategies to prevent falling victim to similar scams:
1. Vet the contractor: Before agreeing to any work, research the company's reputation, check for licenses, and read reviews from other customers.
2. Get everything in writing: Ensure all quotes, agreements, and contracts are documented. Never rely solely on verbal agreements.
3. Understand your rights: Familiarize yourself with local consumer protection laws, like the Texas Home Solicitation Act, which may offer recourse in the event of fraudulent practices.
4. Monitor your credit: Regularly check your credit reports for any unauthorized loans or accounts opened in your name.
5. Secure your signature: Be cautious with electronic signatures and understand what you're signing. If in doubt, consult a legal professional.
6. Report suspicious activity: If you suspect identity theft or fraud, report it immediately to the authorities and consider placing a fraud alert on your credit file. You can also contact the Federal Trade Commission through their website or calling their hotline 1-877-438-4338.
Also read: Senior scammed out of $435K—protect your savings now!
Have you or someone you know ever encountered a home improvement scam or identity theft? What measures do you take to protect your personal information? Share your stories and tips in the comments below!
