For many of us, our homes are usually the largest single investment we make. That's why we take pride in how they look and invest so much to protect that asset.

Home improvements and home repairs are often an expensive undertaking. Therefore, it is important not to let scam artists separate you from your money.

Since 1995, my office received a total of 6,383 home improvement fraud complaints from New York homeowners. It is one of the most frequent consumer complaints we receive.

During the summer months, countless homeowners across the state entrust thousands of dollars to contractors who turn out to be frauds.

Recently, as part of my continuing statewide crackdown on home improvement fraud, I took legal action against 10 home improvement contractors who bilked homeowners out of tens of thousands of dollars.

Several of these unscrupulous "tinmen" specialized in targeting elderly consumers. This particular sweep ranged from the Hudson Valley to Western New York.

In one case, a legally blind 77-year-old Schenectady man was quoted a price of $1 per square foot to pave his 368-square foot driveway but was charged $2,000 ¬ more than five times higher.

The same paver allegedly pressured another consumer into agreeing to an inflated price, then intimidated her into paying by accompanying her to the bank to obtain a $1,100 money order for the work.

Another pair of Capital District contractors are being forced to pay $17,700 in restitution to five elderly scam victims as a result of a court order I obtained.

These contractors offered to perform a minor repair for a small payment, but would then inform the consumer of another "larger" and previously undisclosed problem that supposedly needed immediate attention. They would then require a sizeable deposit, often driving victims to the bank for payment.

In other cases, contractors performed shoddy work or took payments for work never completed.

These are all classic cases of home improvement scams.

Since 1995, my office has successfully prosecuted 48 cases, racking up 28 criminal convictions, and secured nearly a half million dollars in court ordered restitution and penalties.

I urge homeowners to follow these tips to avoid becoming a victim of home improvement fraud:

* Never agree to have work done on the spot. Determine what you want done and seek out qualified contractors;

* Get at least two written estimates from reputable contractors that include specific information about the materials, services and estimated time of job completion;

* Check references by contacting the Better Business Bureau, previous customers, banks and suppliers;

* Don't pay unreasonable advance sums. Negotiate a payment schedule tied to the completion of the job. Never pay the full amount up front and never pay in cash. Write a check.

* Know you have three days to cancel a home improvement contract. All cancellations must be in writing. Also know that a contract is required when a job is at least $500;

* Don't be bullied or pressured. Get a license plate number and call the police if a door-to-door contractor won't take "no" for an answer.

If you have questions or wish to file a consumer complaint about a contractor, please write:

Attorney General Dennis C. Vacco, The Capitol, Albany, New York 12224, or call my consumer hotline at 1-800-771-7755. Those with access to the Internet can visit my website at: http://www.oag.state.ny.us

Don't let a fraudulent home improvement contractor ruin your summer.