Tip · Payments
A new bank account? Verify it first
The short answer
Pause and confirm the change through a contact method you already trust. Compare the request with your signed agreement, the named payee and the agreed payment milestone. Do not let an urgent message replace your normal checks. Retain the written confirmation with your project records.
Editorial status: source-checked on 2026-10-07; not reviewed by a lawyer, licensing authority, engineer or trade professional. United States. Licensing, contract and permit requirements vary by state, locality and trade.
Use your original records
Call the number you independently verified when hiring, rather than a number supplied only in the new message. Ask the contractor to explain and document the change. Keep a record of who confirmed it and when.
Keep the payment tied to the job
Check that the amount is due for the agreed work and that you will receive a receipt. The FTC warns about demands for full payment up front and cash-only arrangements. If the request does not match the agreement, resolve it before authorizing payment.
If money has already gone missing
Contact the payment provider promptly and keep the request, receipt and correspondence. Use the official state consumer office directory to find local help. Recovery options depend on the circumstances and payment method.
Sources
Primary government and consumer-protection sources checked for this guide:
- How To Recognize and Avoid Phishing Scams, Federal Trade Commission. Accessed .
- How To Avoid a Home Improvement Scam, Federal Trade Commission. Accessed .
- State consumer protection offices, USAGov. Accessed .