BEXAR COUNTY, Texas – The Bexar County Precinct 3 Constable is asking anyone who might have come into contact with Semper Fi Mechanical Services HVAC to contact deputies as they might be the victims of fraud.
The HVAC company was run by Michael Reyes. Both Reyes and the company are unlicensed and defrauded victims by posing as a fully licensed company/contractor, the Constable said.
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Reyes was arrested on Sept. 17 on three felony warrants for fraud-related cases in Texas and New Mexico.
A company that does not employ a license holder at the time a contract for air conditioning and refrigeration contracting services is signed, or at the time services are performed, may not collect a fee or enforce a contract.
If you are a consumer who unknowingly hired Reyes or Semper Fi Mechanical Services HVAC you may have a potential fraud case.
Potential fraud cases could include:
- Operating without a valid HVAC contractor’s license.
- Providing substandard installation, design or repair services.
- Substituting lower quality units or providing less than the equipment capacity than agreed.
- Obtaining your agreement in a contract or invoice for the design, repair, installation or repair of any air conditioning equipment by stating they were licensed or insured.
- If they accepted any payment, as without having a valid HVAC contractor’s license, at the time of any agreement or during any equipment installation, an unlicensed HVAC contractor, is prohibited from collecting any fee or pursuing payment under a contract.
- If a payment was made and the work was never done.
Anyone who used Reyes or his company’s services is asked to call the Bexar County Pct. 3 Constable Office at (210) 335-4750.
If an unlicensed HVAC contractor is used, most equipment manufacturers will not honor any warranties, according to a press release from Bexar County Pct. 3.
Proper procedures and safety guidelines may not have been followed and the work will most likely not be insurable due to a potentially poorly completed job, the Constable said.
The Constable’s Office offers the following tips for consumers:
- An HVAC contract or invoice must display the HVAC CONTRACTORS license number and name (gold card) not the white helper card. Ask to see it.
- Pay only the licensed contractor, in their company name and not any other person.
- Do not pay in cash or in advance of work being done.
- Cross-check, any license information with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation to see if it is a valid license.
- Do not use an unlicensed person as few protections exist if they do a poor job or cause damage your business or home. Equipment is not warranted by most manufacturers without being installed by a licensed HVAC contractor.
- Always require a written contract or invoice.
- Verify that ordered equipment and services, were performed by comparing specified equipment against actually installed equipment by make and serial number.
- Report unlicensed contractors to The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation and the Precinct 3 Constables Office.
If you have information on unlicensed contractors contact Investigator Robert Hardcastle at (210) 335-4750 or email info@bexarpolice.org.