This woman lost $2,000 to a no-show contractor–See the clever way she tracked him down using an application!
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In the digital era, the convenience of hiring professionals through applications (apps) has become commonplace.
But what happens when the convenience turns into a costly scam?
This is the story of Xueling Xu, a Texas woman who faced the betrayal of a contractor and used her wits and technology to track him down.
Xueling Xu's journey into the frustrating world of home repairs began with a simple need: fixing a window.
She turned to the Thumbtack app, a popular platform for hiring local professionals, and after careful consideration, chose Juan Bosquez of JBS Construction for his competitive bid.
In April of the previous year, Bosquez signed the contract, and Xu, in good faith, handed over a $2,000 down payment.
Little did she know, this was the start of an ordeal that would test her patience and resolve.
Bosquez initially informed Xu that new windows needed to be ordered, setting the job's start date a month away.
However, when the day arrived, Bosquez was nowhere to be found. Xu's attempts to contact him were met with silence, and her anticipation turned into a sinking feeling of having been scammed.
Refusing to be a victim, Xu contacted local CBS affiliate KENS for assistance.
The station's investigation led to a confrontation with Bosquez, who denied any affiliation with JBS Construction and hung up when presented with evidence to the contrary.
Also read: Protect your bank account instantly with this crucial new setting!
Xu's foresight in collecting Bosquez's information, including a photo of his driver's license, became her ace in the hole.
Armed with his full name, contact number, address, proof of payment, and their text exchanges, she approached the San Antonio Police Department.
After eight long months, a detective's involvement prompted Bosquez to finally respond to Xu, offering to return the $2,000.
Xu received her refund in January 2025, a victory for her perseverance and smart use of technology.
Also read: Senior scammed out of $435K—protect your savings now!
Xu's story is a cautionary tale for all of us. The San Antonio Police Department advises meeting contractors in person before making any payments and opting for those who don't require hefty down payments.
Additionally, the Better Business Bureau is an excellent resource for verifying the credibility of local businesses.
Source: KEN 5 News / Youtube.
In light of Xu's experience, it's crucial to stay vigilant against scams. Chase Bank offers valuable advice:
- Be wary of online deals that seem too good to be true, particularly on social media.
- Don't rush decisions if pressured to act immediately; verify the source first.
- Never return unexpected funds without contacting your bank.
- Avoid sending money to people you've only interacted with online or by phone.
- Never grant remote access to your device unless you're certain of the individual's identity.
- Exercise caution at ATMs and don't accept help from strangers.
- Disregard messages about winning prizes that prompt you to send money or click links.
Also read: Hackers could be tracking you RIGHT NOW through your phone – protect yourself with these essential steps!
Have you ever been scammed by a contractor or avoided a potential scam thanks to a precaution you took? Do you have additional tips for our community on how to stay safe when hiring professionals? Share your stories and advice in the comments below!
But what happens when the convenience turns into a costly scam?
This is the story of Xueling Xu, a Texas woman who faced the betrayal of a contractor and used her wits and technology to track him down.
Xueling Xu's journey into the frustrating world of home repairs began with a simple need: fixing a window.
She turned to the Thumbtack app, a popular platform for hiring local professionals, and after careful consideration, chose Juan Bosquez of JBS Construction for his competitive bid.
In April of the previous year, Bosquez signed the contract, and Xu, in good faith, handed over a $2,000 down payment.
Little did she know, this was the start of an ordeal that would test her patience and resolve.
A woman in Texas was scammed out of $2,000 by a contractor who never completed the promised window repair work. Image source: Lindsey Lamont / Unsplash.
Bosquez initially informed Xu that new windows needed to be ordered, setting the job's start date a month away.
However, when the day arrived, Bosquez was nowhere to be found. Xu's attempts to contact him were met with silence, and her anticipation turned into a sinking feeling of having been scammed.
Refusing to be a victim, Xu contacted local CBS affiliate KENS for assistance.
The station's investigation led to a confrontation with Bosquez, who denied any affiliation with JBS Construction and hung up when presented with evidence to the contrary.
Also read: Protect your bank account instantly with this crucial new setting!
Xu's foresight in collecting Bosquez's information, including a photo of his driver's license, became her ace in the hole.
Armed with his full name, contact number, address, proof of payment, and their text exchanges, she approached the San Antonio Police Department.
After eight long months, a detective's involvement prompted Bosquez to finally respond to Xu, offering to return the $2,000.
Xu received her refund in January 2025, a victory for her perseverance and smart use of technology.
Also read: Senior scammed out of $435K—protect your savings now!
Xu's story is a cautionary tale for all of us. The San Antonio Police Department advises meeting contractors in person before making any payments and opting for those who don't require hefty down payments.
Additionally, the Better Business Bureau is an excellent resource for verifying the credibility of local businesses.
Source: KEN 5 News / Youtube.
In light of Xu's experience, it's crucial to stay vigilant against scams. Chase Bank offers valuable advice:
- Be wary of online deals that seem too good to be true, particularly on social media.
- Don't rush decisions if pressured to act immediately; verify the source first.
- Never return unexpected funds without contacting your bank.
- Avoid sending money to people you've only interacted with online or by phone.
- Never grant remote access to your device unless you're certain of the individual's identity.
- Exercise caution at ATMs and don't accept help from strangers.
- Disregard messages about winning prizes that prompt you to send money or click links.
Also read: Hackers could be tracking you RIGHT NOW through your phone – protect yourself with these essential steps!
Have you ever been scammed by a contractor or avoided a potential scam thanks to a precaution you took? Do you have additional tips for our community on how to stay safe when hiring professionals? Share your stories and advice in the comments below!
