On Your Side gets fake contractor to return $2K deposit to Phoenix homeowner
He was hired to deliver and install artificial grass but disappeared
PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Maria Hernandez will be the first to tell you that her front yard just doesn’t look like it used to.
“How hard was it for you to let everything die out here like this?” On Your Side’s Gary Harper asked about her dying grass and plants. “It was devastating because I took pride in my yard,” she replied.
With the help of a lot of water, Hernandez’s yard used to be lush and green like the photos she showed us.
“People would pass by and they would always comment and say ‘You have a beautiful yard,’” she said.
But to help conserve water, Hernandez decided to let most of her yard die off. She even cut down two trees. All because she wanted to install artificial grass.
“I wanted to see grass. That was it,” she explained. “I was still going to be green and I could be able to maintain it.”
Hernandez hired a company called LNK Landscape Services and Design, run by a fake contractor named Filiberto Jose Ramos, but he actually goes by “Felix” Ramos. According to this invoice, Felix Ramos stated he would install 1,300 square feet of turf along with some pavers.
But he needed money up front to get started. The total cost for the entire project was $3,350, $2,200 of which Hernandez says Ramos demanded upfront.
And she gave him that amount. After pocketing the $2,200, Hernandez says Felix Ramos disappeared and never returned.
So, while we were at her home, Harper called Felix Ramos and left a voicemail asking him to call back as soon as possible. But instead of calling Harper back, Ramos called Hernandez immediately.
“It’s him,” Hernandez said, referring to Felix Ramos. “Oh, it’s him? So, he’s calling you? Ok, let’s answer it.”
Apparently, Felix Ramos suspected why On Your Side called him and said on speakerphone that he still wanted to install her artificial grass, and he had just fallen behind.
“No, no. She doesn’t want the job done,” Harper interjected. “She wants her money back, so let’s get it back here tomorrow.”
And just then, Felix Ramos said he would return Hernandez’s money.
On Your Side is very familiar with Felix Ramos. We’ve exposed his antics in previous news reports, where viewers explained how he ripped them off after failing to perform similar jobs. Not only has he racked up numerous complaints with the Arizona Registrar of Contractors, he’s also been convicted previously for contracting without a license. And although his looks may have changed over the years, his behavior hasn’t.
“How is she going to get the money back?” Harper asked Ramos. He replied that he would return it electronically using Zelle and Apple Pay.
Well, did Felix Ramos return her money like he promised in our phone conversation? He missed two daily deadlines, but he finally sent Hernandez several transactions adding up to all $2,200.
Hernandez says it only happened because of On Your Side.
“I’m very grateful, deep from my heart, for Gary Harper. Thank you so much, Gary,” she said. “It’s unbelievable. I feel blessed.”
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