‘They have the money, it’s gone’: A contractor took nearly $8,000 from an elderly couple then ghosted them. What to do if a trusted pro scams you

Her parents — ages 81 and 83 — are now not only out nearly $8,000, but at risk of losing the state grant entirely.

That's because Florida's My Safe Florida Home Program (2) requires homeowners to complete improvements and submit an inspection request within a year, or forfeit the grant. A single six-month extension can be requested, but only once, and it isn't guaranteed.

"This was a big commitment for them," Bauer said. "It feels awful."

The pattern hiding in plain sight

Bauer's parents aren't alone. A months-long investigation by Tampa Bay 28 found a growing list of customers who say they paid Mister Window thousands of dollars and received nothing in return. One customer claims to be out $18,000, another more than $2,300. A third paid almost $12,000 after finding the company through the state's own vetted contractor list.

Court records show the company had already been sued by a vendor and ordered to repay more than $136,000 in unpaid invoices, by American Express over more than $71,000 in credit card debt and by a window manufacturer for $1 million.

Its Palmetto office has since been cleared out and its phones disconnected, with a notice on the premises stating the company owes its landlord more than $27,000 in rent.

A growing vulnerability

The Bauers' situation reflects a vulnerability that's only growing.

According to AARP (3), nearly three-quarters of adults 50 and older said it was extremely important to have trustworthy, high-quality contractors available in their community — which is telling, given that nearly half of older adults expect they'll need to make their homes more accessible as they age, with the majority planning modifications like grab bars, ramps and wider doorways.

That means millions of older Americans are actively hiring contractors, often for the first time in years, often on fixed incomes and often placing enormous trust in any credential that signals legitimacy, including those found in state listings. And that makes these folks a prime target.

Why a 'state-vetted' label isn't a safety net

A state program listing or a contractor's license can feel like a seal of approval. It isn't. These designations confirm that a business met minimum requirements at a point in time, but they say nothing about whether that business is still financially solvent, dispute-free or operating in good faith today.

That's reflected in the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) finding that reported fraud losses among adults 60 and older quadrupled from roughly $600 million in 2020 to $2.4 billion in 2024 (4). Among older adults, the gap was especially pronounced for people 80 and over, who had a median reported loss of more than $1,600, far outpacing losses reported by younger age groups.

Contractor and home improvement fraud targeting seniors is a persistent part of that picture.

AARP reports contractor fraud is rampant in Florida's retirement communities, with scammers promising pool installations, roofing upgrades and landscaping work before vanishing with deposits, sometimes after doing only partial or sub-par work or — even worse — nothing at all.

What you should do before paying a dime

Proactive prevention is key when it comes to protecting yourself from home improvement scams.

The FTC says to never pay the full amount upfront; always get a written contract that includes a completion date, contractor details, cancellation clause and cost and scope of work agreements; and verify a contractor's license independently before signing anything.