Consumer Watch: Local Roofer Takes The Money But Does No Work

Amanda Taylor, News 9

HARRAH, Oklahoma - Kenneth Anderson knew his home needed a new roof. After all, it was 20-years-old. And his roofer agreed.

"He stuck his fingers between the shingles and it had some slates," Kenneth Anderson said.

Anderson hired Steve Halferty with Steve's Roofing and Sheet Metal.

He didn't think twice about it either since Halferty did a good job reroofing his garage a couple of years ago. He even considered Halferty a friend.

"I felt comfortable with him and I didn't think he would do anything except good to me," Anderson said.

In October 2010, Anderson and his wife took out a bank loan and paid Halferty more than $2,400 for supplies.

He was supposed to start the work about a week later, but never showed. So Anderson made a call to the supply company.

"They said he never been there or called either way so he didn't order material," Anderson said.

That's when Anderson felt he had been taken.

"I feel like he's lied. I don't feel like it. He did lie to us, so I'm not happy about those things," Anderson said. "It hurt me and I'm still hurt over it, but I'm going to get over it."

Anderson had to buy supplies again and family members have since put on a new roof. But he still hopes to get his money back from Steve's Roofing. He even confronted the owner about it.

"He said I'm going to pay you back. I said 'Steve, I've had enough of your lying,'" Anderson said. "I don't think he's planning on paying us back."

The Consumer Watch Team went to track Halferty down and was told he was staying at a place in Harrah. When he wasn't their, the team tried to call, but his phone's been disconnected. After doing some more digging, the Consumer Watch team found this may have happened before. Another homeowner sued Halferty in 2010 after she paid him $5,000 to put on a roof and he never did the work. She won the case but has yet to receive a dime.

But there is now protection to help you from getting scammed by a roofer. A new law passed in Oklahoma last year, requiring roofers to register before working in Oklahoma, or face fines. So before hiring a roofing company, check with the Construction Industries Board to see if it's registered. The Consumer Watch team checked and Steve's Roofing is not registered.