Jackson Free Press

[verbatim statement] Jackson, MS-Mississippi consumers can now track fraudulent contractors through a new website of the Office of the Attorney General. Mississippians can now go to http://www.agjimhood.com and find a list of contractors arrested for home repair fraud under the "alerts" and "consumer" links. The list includes the name of the person arrested, the name of the company they were "doing business as" and a brief status report on the case.

"The idea came to me while I was doing a live broadcast with Mississippi Public Radio," said Attorney General Jim Hood. "I was talking to a caller from Jackson who made me realize there was a need for a quick reference guide in this area. The information we have on the list is public record and people are entitled to it.

The list was recently updated to one new name:

-Albert Watson Tate, Jr.(age 52) of Pontotoc, MS, was arrested on May 28, 2008, by the Pontotoc Police Department, assisted by investigators with the Mississippi Attorney General's Office, Public Integrity and Alcohol and Tobacco enforcement division. Tate was returned to Harrison County on May 29, 2008 to face a felony embezzlement charge. He is accused of taking money from a Biloxi resident to make repairs to a hurricane Katrina damaged home, spending the money but never providing proof the money was spent properly. At the time of his arrest, Tate was on probation for a 2007 Felony Home Repair Fraud conviction in Lee County Circuit Court. His bond was set at $25,000 by Harrison County Justice Court Judge Albert Fountain.

The arrest of Tate brings the number of contractors arrested by the Attorney General's Office for home repair fraud to 80.

The website links are meant only as a supplemental resource for consumers. "There are still crooked contractors operating who haven't been caught yet," said Attorney General Hood. "That's why nothing will protect you better than following the basics: get your contract in writing, get references and be careful about paying any money up front."

Other tips can be found at http://www.agjimhood.com. If you are suspicious, do not hire the worker, sign a contract or provide money. Get as much information as possible and report your concerns to your local law enforcement agency or the Attorney General's Consumer Protection division at 601-359-4230.