What happens when a company scams you? How Solar Wolf customers could recoup lost money

YARMOUTH — Solarize Yarmouth Committee Chairwoman Joyce Flynn is trying to get the word out about how residents scammed by Solar Wolf Energy might recoup some of their money.

The Home Improvement Contractor Arbitration and Guaranty Fund, administered by the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation, was established to compensate Massachusetts consumers up to $10,000 for unpaid judgments against contractors.

Homeowners can apply to the Fund for compensation, but there are eligibility guidelines, maximum payout amounts, and fast-approaching deadlines.

Filing a petition for relief from the temporary stay on Strzelecki's assets is the first step. The petition must be sent to Bankruptcy Judge Christopher Panos, with certified copies to several other parties, including the debtor's attorney. A copy of the contract must be included. The fee is $188 plus postage costs.

Latest on the Solar Wolf caseDid the owner of Solar Wolf transfer money out of the company before bankruptcy filing?

The judge’s ruling provides the official document that eliminates the need to wait until the bankruptcy case concludes.

The ruling provides the judgement required before someone can fill out the Guaranty Fund application. The ruling will take about two weeks and the petitioner will be mailed a copy of the judge's order.

A copy of the judge's order must be sent in with the 8-page application to the Home Improvement Contractor Guaranty Fund. The application must be notarized, and copies of the motion and contract must be included. Applicants must apply to the Fund within six months or receiving the judge's ruling.

If you've already applied to the HICGF arbitration, you must send a copy of the judge's order and mention your earlier HICGF application. The judge's order will complete the application.

Applicants must apply to the Fund within two years of signing the contract with Ted Strzelecki and Solar Wolf. That deadline is looming for some Yarmouth customers.

Fund administrators will send an acceptance notice when they receive it. The applicant is then put in a queue for arbitration.

Contact Denise Coffey at dcoffey@capecodonline.com. Follow her on Twitter: @DeniseCoffeyCCT.

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This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Yarmouth Solar Wolf customers can seek relief from state guaranty fund