Beware of construction scams in Mobile

MOBILE, Ala. - Mobile County Sheriff's investigators say in April 2009, Joseph Ladd Cooper scammed $2,500 out of an elderly victim in Mobile.

Deputies said Cooper claimed that he installed lightening arrestors on the roof of the 86-year-old's house, but he never actually performed any services.

Cooper is in jail again on charges of theft by deception. Officials said he scammed the same victim, and this time, they said he had an accomplice, Mark Johnson. Investigators said the two men managed to get $8,000 from the victim. Both have been booked into Metro Jail.

"That $8,000 scam was perpetrated through the use of a counterfeit check and a roof rebate scam," said Sergeant James Lackey.

This is Johnson's fourth arrest since September. Investigators said he and Cooper have gotten a number of people to agree to construction work.

"Sometimes it's asphalt work, sometimes it's roof repair, and in the past, Mr. Cooper has even claimed to do things like installing lightening arrestors," said Sergeant Lackey.

Investigators said other victims have reported the men to the Sheriff's Office, the Mobile Police Department and even the Baton Rouge Police Department.

Cooper and Johnson are both being held without bond on this case. Johnson's bond was revoked. Cooper is being held because of an outstanding warrant for his arrest in baton rouge for theft of assets of aged person.

If you want construction work done to your house, there are a couple of things you should remember:

• You should approach legitimate, known contractors. Most legitimate contractors will not go door to door looking for work.
• If a contractor comes to you and you decide to have work done, before writing a check and entering into any contracts, check with the Better Business Bureau.