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Elma contractor's bank accounts frozen as investigated for scams

A restraining order has been granted against home improvement contractor Phillip Fox, owner of Affordable Concrete of Elma. The order was requested by the New York State Attorney General's office, which says Fox has scammed dozens of consumers in Western New York.According to the court papers, Fox collected thousands of dollars for home repairs that he never provided - and when he did do the work, it was shoddy or charged outrageous amounts for the work.

Attorney General Eric Schneiderman says in one case, Fox preyed on two sisters in their 80s for more than $80,000 worth of work for work he has not done, did not need to be done, or for which Fox charged outrageous amounts of money. For example, Schneiderman says Fox charged the sisters $7,390 to power wash and stain their fence and apply a sealer, $3,410 to install a basement door and $2,415 for molding.

The court granted the Attorney General’s request to immediately freeze Fox’s bank accounts and prohibit him from accepting any advance payments from consumers while the court hears the case. The office also is seeking a court order barring Fox from the home improvement industry unless he posts a $250,000 bond, refunds for consumers, as well as civil penalties against Fox for violations of consumer protection laws and targeting elderly consumers.