Atlanta residents have waited 7 years for their day in court after they were allegedly scammed by a tree removal business — here are some steps you can take to protect yourself

A suspiciously similar name

In 2023, WSB-TV began investigating Hodges after consumers complained about her taking their money. Back then, DeKalb County resident Sherral Cannon said he contacted Don’s Tree Experts thinking it was the same company he'd used in the past.

Hodges' company's name is similar to another called Don's Tree Service, which may have led customers to trust her.

“We called Don, who had been here before, to cut down some trees,” said Cannon to the news network. He wrote Hodges a check for $700 as a deposit for the work he needed done.

“She disappeared. Never saw her again,” Cannon said.

Don's Tree Service is a company that's highly rated and has been in business for over 20 years. Owner Doni Jones says she's seen mix-ups along the lines of what happened to Cannon.

“We hear the stories because they’ll call us when they can’t get that other person on the phone,” Jones told WSB-TV. “You see someone get taken advantage of like that and to know there’s a possibility they think you may be involved in that. It’s frustrating.”

Meanwhile, Hodges has been arrested numerous times in multiple counties, and there have been at least 40 civil cases filed against her, says WSB-TV.

Gray asked Hodges if she was still in the tree removal business and was directed to her attorney, who said that the business is still in operation but would not speak to Hodges' involvement in it.

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How to avoid being scammed by a contractor

The National Association of Realtors, citing a 2023 study from JW Surety Bonds, says that about one in 10 Americans have been a victim of a contractor scam, losing an average of $2,426. That’s why it’s important to know how to avoid becoming a victim.

First, only work with contractors or companies that are licensed and insured. And from there, do your research. Look up the company on the Better Business Bureau to see how many complaints are on file, and see if you can use a state database to look up complaints by license number.

Once you've done that initial research, you'll want to talk to previous customers to see what their experience was like. Don't just trust online reviews — anyone could've written them. This especially applies to testimonials on a given company's site.

Independent sites like Yelp may be a bit more reliable. But ultimately, your best bet is to ask to see an example of a contractor's work when possible and have a quick conversation with that homeowner. If you can ask someone you know for a recommendation, even better.

Furthermore, be wary of companies that require a large deposit up front. You may have to pay something, but if it's more than 50% of the project cost, consider it a red flag.

Some states actually place a limit on the amount of money contractors can ask for up front when doing a job. You can research your state's laws here.

Also, do not hand over any money without a signed contract. And read the terms of that contract carefully so you know what you're getting into. Make sure the contract has a date for when the work will be completed, as well as remedies you can take if the company breaches the contract.

Finally, always get multiple estimates for a home improvement or repair project, and be suspicious if one quote is remarkably lower than the others. It may be that the company is trying to lure you in with a much more attractive price only to try to run away with your money afterward.