Unlicensed Massachusetts contractor held on bail after Swansea homeowner allegedly scammed out of $25,000

A Massachusetts contractor is facing several charges after a customer was allegedly scammed out of thousands.

According to Lt. Patrick Mooney, a homeowner filed a report with the Swansea PD in February 2024, that in September 2023 they had entered into an agreement with a contractor, 53-year-old Thomas Furtado of Taunton MA, to do renovations to their house. 

Between September and November, the homeowner gave Furtado 3 checks totally $25,000, however, the work was never started.  After numerous attempts by the homeowner to get Furtado to start the job, the homeowner came to the police station to file the report. 

After an investigation by Ptl. Andrew Pelletier, it was learned that Furtado did not have a valid Home Improvement Contractor License. Furtado was ultimately summonsed into Fall River District Court on the charges of Home Improvement Contractor Violation, Home Improvement Contractor Unlicensed, and Larceny over $1200.

Furtado was arraigned in district court Wednesday on the above charges where he pled not guilty.

He was being held on $15,000 cash bail as of Wednesday.

Furtado’s next court date is scheduled for May 3rd.