Fraud Prevention & Reporting Policy

1. PURPOSE AND SCOPE

This Fraud Prevention & Reporting Policy ("Policy") establishes PrimeInstall LLC's zero-tolerance approach to fraudulent conduct, deceptive practices, and illegal schemes targeting our Company, workers, insurance carriers, and legitimate clients. This Policy applies to:

• All clients, prospective clients, and third parties interacting with PrimeInstall LLC
• Insurance fraud schemes targeting our liability or workers' compensation coverage
• Payment fraud including chargebacks, false disputes, and unauthorized transaction claims
• False damage claims, fabricated property loss, and manufactured injury allegations
• Identity theft, impersonation, and unauthorized use of Company credentials
• Extortion, blackmail, and threats made to obtain refunds or financial concessions

2. COMMON FRAUD SCHEMES - IDENTIFICATION AND PREVENTION

2.1 Insurance Fraud - "Claim We Damaged Your Property"

Scheme Description: Fraudulent clients exploit the fact that PrimeInstall LLC maintains comprehensive liability insurance by falsely claiming we damaged their property, caused structural harm, or destroyed valuable items. They then demand payment from our insurance or threaten to file claims unless compensated directly.

Red Flags:

• Client specifically asks about insurance coverage before or immediately after service
• Damage claims emerge days or weeks after service, not immediately
• Claimed damage is in areas where no work was performed
• Client refuses to allow inspection of alleged damage
• Damage appears pre-existing, staged, or inconsistent with work performed
• Client threatens to "file a claim" or mentions insurance repeatedly
• Client demands immediate cash payment to "avoid insurance involvement"

Prevention Measures: PrimeInstall LLC employs comprehensive documentation protocols including: (a) timestamped photographs of entire work area before service commencement; (b) during-service photos at key stages; (c) completion photos from multiple angles; (d) video walkthroughs for high-value properties; (e) client signature on condition documentation forms; and (f) third-party witness presence for suspected high-risk clients.

Legal Response: False property damage claims violate New York Penal Law § 176.05 (insurance fraud) and § 190.25 (criminal impersonation if impersonating damaged party). Perpetrators face felony charges punishable by up to 7 years imprisonment plus restitution, fines, and civil liability for treble damages under NY General Obligations Law § 349.

2.2 Chargeback Fraud - "Never Received Service"

Scheme Description: After receiving completed services, fraudulent clients initiate credit card chargebacks claiming: (a) services were never rendered; (b) charges were unauthorized; (c) work was defective or incomplete; or (d) they cancelled prior to service but were charged anyway.

Red Flags:

• Client explicitly states they'll dispute charges if dissatisfied
• Client has history of chargebacks with other merchants
• Client requests services but refuses to sign service agreements
• Client avoids providing identification or verifiable contact information
• Client demands services be billed to corporate/business card for residential work

Prevention Measures: (a) Digital signature capture on all service completion documents; (b) photographic evidence of work performed; (c) email confirmations sent immediately after service; (d) client acknowledgment that chargeback fraud will result in criminal prosecution; and (e) pre-screening of high-risk clients.

Legal Response: Fraudulent chargebacks constitute theft of services under NY Penal Law § 165.15 (theft of services) and § 155.05 (larceny). The Company reports all fraudulent chargebacks to law enforcement, pursues criminal prosecution, files civil suits for treble damages, and reports perpetrators to credit bureaus and merchant fraud databases.

2.3 Pre-Existing Condition Fraud - "You Made It Worse"

Scheme Description: Clients with pre-existing property damage, structural defects, or failing systems hire PrimeInstall LLC for unrelated work, then claim our services "caused" or "worsened" the pre-existing problems to extract compensation.

Red Flags:

• Property shows obvious neglect, deferred maintenance, or structural issues
• Client seems overly concerned about "being careful" near specific areas
• Client makes unsolicited statements like "I hope you don't make it worse"
• Work area has visible pre-existing damage inconsistent with requested services
• Client refuses to acknowledge or document pre-existing conditions

Prevention Measures: (a) Comprehensive pre-service property condition documentation with client signature acknowledgment; (b) written disclaimers for pre-existing conditions observed; (c) refusal to work in areas with significant pre-existing damage until client signs liability waivers; and (d) third-party property condition reports for high-risk scenarios.

2.4 Extortion for Refunds - "Give Me Money or I'll Ruin You"

Scheme Description: Clients threaten to post negative online reviews, file false complaints with regulatory agencies, initiate lawsuits, or conduct social media smear campaigns unless the Company provides unwarranted refunds or financial concessions.

Red Flags:

• Client explicitly states "I'll leave a bad review unless..."
• Client mentions specific online platforms where they'll "expose" the Company
• Client threatens regulatory complaints, BBB filings, or consumer protection actions
• Client demands payment in exchange for removing negative content
• Client has pattern of similar threats/actions against other businesses

Prevention Measures: (a) All communications documented and recorded (with notice); (b) immediate legal response to extortion threats; (c) preservation of evidence for criminal prosecution; and (d) defamation lawsuits against false statements.

Legal Response: Extortion violates NY Penal Law § 155.05(2)(e) (extortion) and § 135.60 (coercion). Perpetrators face Class D felony charges punishable by up to 7 years imprisonment. The Company pursues criminal prosecution, obtains restraining orders, and files civil suits for defamation, tortious interference, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

3. FRAUD DETECTION SYSTEMS

PrimeInstall LLC employs advanced fraud detection systems including:

• Client Screening Database: Cross-reference of prospective clients against fraud databases, chargeback histories, and negative service provider reports.
• Behavioral Analysis: AI-powered pattern recognition identifying high-risk client behaviors during booking and service delivery.
• Documentation Requirements: Mandatory identification verification, property ownership confirmation, and authorization documentation.
• Payment Method Verification: Validation that payment method matches client identity and service address.
• Third-Party Monitoring: Continuous monitoring of review sites, social media, and complaint forums for fraudulent attack patterns.

4. REPORTING SUSPECTED FRAUD

4.1 Worker Protection: PrimeInstall LLC workers are trained to identify fraud schemes and empowered to: (a) refuse service to suspected fraudulent clients; (b) immediately report suspicious behavior; (c) document all interactions; (d) cease work if threats or extortion occur; and (e) contact law enforcement if safety is threatened.

4.2 Internal Reporting: Workers must immediately report the following to Company management:

• Clients discussing insurance claims before or during service
• Threats of negative reviews, legal action, or regulatory complaints
• Refusal to sign completion documents or acknowledge work performed
• Requests to alter documentation, backdate forms, or falsify records
• Staged or manufactured property conditions suggesting setup for fraud

4.3 Law Enforcement Cooperation: The Company maintains cooperative relationships with: (a) NYPD Financial Crimes Task Force; (b) New York State Department of Financial Services Frauds Bureau; (c) FBI Cyber Crimes Division; (d) NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection; and (e) insurance fraud investigation units.

5. PROSECUTION AND CIVIL LIABILITY

5.1 Criminal Prosecution: PrimeInstall LLC WILL pursue criminal prosecution for all identified fraud including:

• Insurance Fraud: NY Penal Law § 176.05-176.30 (felonies, 4-25 years imprisonment)
• Larceny/Theft: NY Penal Law § 155.05-155.42 (Class A misdemeanor to Class B felony)
• Criminal Impersonation: NY Penal Law § 190.25 (Class A misdemeanor, up to 1 year jail)
• Falsifying Business Records: NY Penal Law § 175.05-175.10 (Class A misdemeanor to Class E felony)
• Extortion: NY Penal Law § 155.05(2)(e) (Class D felony, up to 7 years imprisonment)

5.2 Civil Liability: Fraudulent actors face civil suits for:

• Treble Damages: 3x the amount of fraud loss under NY General Obligations Law § 349
• Attorney Fees: Full recovery of all legal fees, expert witness costs, and litigation expenses
• Punitive Damages: Additional damages to punish egregious conduct
• Defamation: Damages for false statements, reputational harm, and lost business
• Injunctive Relief: Court orders prohibiting further fraudulent conduct, removing false online content, and restraining harassment

6. LEGITIMATE DISPUTE RESOLUTION

PrimeInstall LLC respects legitimate customer concerns and disputes. This fraud prevention policy does NOT restrict clients from:

• Requesting warranty service for genuinely defective work
• Reporting actual safety concerns or code violations
• Filing legitimate insurance claims for real damage
• Disputing billing errors or calculation mistakes
• Pursuing mediation or arbitration per service agreements
• Leaving honest reviews reflecting genuine service experiences

Clients should follow proper dispute resolution procedures outlined in the Service Agreement and Refund Policy before considering legal action or regulatory complaints.