Contractor forged my signature when applied for building permit

[dekel.kfir]

What is the name of your state? Massachusetts.

While my house was being renovated I wanted to check something in the building permits at the city. Among the documents I got from the city was the permit application that was submitted by my contractor. The permit application includes the contract for the renovations. I was amazed to discover that he submitted a fake contract, with smaller amounts of money, and with a forged signature of mine.

What should I do?

 

[quincy]

What is the name of your state? Massachusetts.

While my house was being renovated I wanted to check something in the building permits at the city. Among the documents I got from the city was the permit application that was submitted by my contractor. The permit application includes the contract for the renovations. I was amazed to discover that he submitted a fake contract, with smaller amounts of money, and with a forged signature of mine.

What should I do?

You can point out what you discovered to the City. And you can discuss the matter with your contractor.

 

[adjusterjack]

Report the forgery to the police to get it on record.

Check the state's Division of Occupational Licensure to see which Board regulates the contractor. Then report the forgery there, too.

Division of Occupational Licensure: Check a License | Mass.gov

 

[LdiJ]

What is the name of your state? Massachusetts.

While my house was being renovated I wanted to check something in the building permits at the city. Among the documents I got from the city was the permit application that was submitted by my contractor. The permit application includes the contract for the renovations. I was amazed to discover that he submitted a fake contract, with smaller amounts of money, and with a forged signature of mine.

What should I do?

Is the work done on your home? Was the work satisfactory? I am asking because once you start action on the apparent fraud it may derail the work on your home. If the work is done and is satisfactory then by all means, go ahead and pursue whatever you need to pursue. Otherwise, consult people before you blow things up.

 

[Zigner]

You can point out what you discovered to the City. And you can discuss the matter with your contractor.

...but maybe in the reverse order. There might be a reason this was done that the OP would be happy to know.

 

[doucar]

Do you have a written contract with the contractor? If so does it authorize him to sign your name to permit applications?

 

[quincy]

...but maybe in the reverse order. There might be a reason this was done that the OP would be happy to know.

Permit applications are generally not signed by anyone but the contractor (or the one needing the permit). It would be the contract between the homeowner and the contractor for the work to be completed (or estimate of the cost of the work to be completed) that should have the homeowner’s signature.

Whether a homeowner-signed copy of the work contract is actually necessary to obtain a city permit for the work is a question I don’t have an answer to offhand.