TYLER, Texas — East Texans are no strangers to home repairs, especially after severe weather damage, but it’s important to make sure you hire reliable contractors and watch out for red flags.
The Kilgore Police Department said a search is underway for Ignacio "Nacho" Terrones who officials say recently scammed a Tyler family, and possibly others, across the country. Darrell Attaway said he met Terrones through Facebook Marketplace when he offered services as a contract for electrical work.
Attaway said Terrones disappeared after receiving a down payment of nearly $4,000 for a roofing job. A Gregg County judge ruled on June 8 Terrones must pay Attaway $14,282.82 after committing construction fraud. According to KPD, Terrones failed to turn himself in and they are looking for clues regarding his whereabouts.
Attaway said Terrones built a trust with him after doing a few jobs on his and his father-in-law’s homes.
"He did a pretty good job on the ring doorbells and electrical work," Attaway said. "I was trusting him that he was a good contractor."
Attaway said he hired Terrones to repair a roof and the contractor asked for a 50% down payment. Once it was paid, Attaway said Terrones tore off the shingles and left to go get materials. However, he never returned.
Mechele Mills, president and CEO of the BBB of Central East Texas, said these types of scams happen more often than you'd think.
"Usually it's large sums of money like that so again it's really that much more important to do your research," Mills said. "And make sure that you're dealing with somebody that has already had good experiences with other people."
Attaway said once he realized he'd been scammed, he went back to Facebook where he saw other comments from people claiming Terrones scammed them, as well.
"I started googling his name more and that's when I started saying this man is just a scam," Attaway said. "He just does it to everybody. He's been doing this."
Attaway has screenshots of his conversations with Terrones after he didn't return to finish his job. He said Terrones created excuses for his absence and refused to call him back. He said eventually Terrones stopped responding altogether.
The situation only got worse after rain caused the ceiling to cave in on his father-in-law's home. The event caused about $8,000 in damage.
"I spent more money dealing with the aftermath and his mess," Attaway said. "I'm trying to fix everything and he never gave my money back from the down payment. That's why I had to sue him which I don't know if I'm gonna get that (money) back."
Mills said there are ways to prevent scams like this from happening to you.
"The rule of thirds is you pay a third upfront, a third once it's 50%, complete and a third once it's completed to your satisfaction," Mills said.
Although Attaway fell victim to this scam, he said he wants to share his story to warn others.
"I just want to help people," Attaway said. "I've learned my lesson and I just want to help other people to not get scammed by people like him."
Police say if you see Terrones to not approach him or attempt to detain him yourself. If you have any information on his whereabouts, please call KPD Det. Joshua Sims at (903) 218-6907 or email him at Joshua.Sims@cityofkilgore.com.