Underground Utilities, Inc videotaping

Who's the letter from?

Underground Utilities, Inc.

And they're based out of Monroeville, OH.

Seems shady to me. Even if the company is legit, I’d be curious if this would stand up in court if you didn’t let them video tape and they damaged your property. Why should you be forced to choose between your privacy and the right to sue.

I'd ask the lawyers on here but I'm pretty sure you do not waive your right to sue anyone unless you specifically waive that right in writting.

Just curious - how much does it cost for the video? My guess, is just their not so clever way of making a quick buck.

Suggest you copy the letter and sent it to the bunko squad and let Joe Friday and the boys peel back the layers.

According to the letter, the video is at no cost. That's not my issue, however. My issue is letting someone I don't know into my home with a camera where they'll then be able to document what I have inside my house. I feel like I'm being asked to give someone a free tour of what I have for future break-ins. (Yes, I am probably being paranoid, but...)

Yeah was wondering about videotape the inside of your house or just document what they can later steal and where its located along with what security measures you have installed.

That's just odd. I hate having people in my house. If it's legit it seems far more likely to me that they have been sued in the past for damage and this is there way of making sure they show your house was damaged before they got there.

All I have to say is bull effing shit.

Do NOT let them come into your home. How do you know that video tape will be secured? That it won't be dumped with a bunch of files after this is over with, full labeled with your name, address, etc? How do you know this company is "legit", even if it is in business with the city? This town (and nearly every other town) is strewn with past f-ups, problems, and other indiscretions from companies the city contracted with for "legit" services.

I'm not paranoid about break-ins, but this is an unnecessary intrusion. If you want some sort of proof for yourself of the condition of your house before construction starts, figure out a way to videotape it yourself and get it somehow certified as taken on "X/X/XX"--then keep it in YOUR possession. It does NOT have to be done by the company and certainly not with a couple of guys going through your home essentially "casing the joint".

Damn...it takes a big set of brass ones to send out a letter like this. Seriously.

It is actually a hell of an angle to produce business. The problem lies in the pitch. If they would have presented it as an option to the problem of documentation – trying to build your confidence and trust in them - it might have been a good idea. The question I have is – if you have insurance on your home and something happens, isn’t it between your insurance company and the construction company? In other words, how are these things handled without video documentation?

Sounds like it's a great angle to drum up business. I'm not sure that they are looking to "rob" you by seeing what is inside your home, but they do ping on the "unknown" factor. The "unknown" factor is used by insurance companies and religion to scare you into buying or spending money to protect yourself.
As long as they get people in the area thinking about protecting themselves and worrying about what might happen with all the evil construction going on, they'll be selling their service.
If you are worried about what might happen, get a family member with a simple camera or video recorder to come take pics and/or video of inside and outside of house. Download it to a memory card, dvd, etc and store it in a safe deposit box, or at a trusted family member's house.

I wouldn't pay to have someone do it. You can do it yourself.

I am assuming the letter means if you refuse to have them come out and take the video, then they will not be willing to negotiate over damages claims unless you take legal action against them. "Assume liability" is different from "being liable," which could definitely be proven without this video being performed. I would take my own video, all in a single continuous take, and timestamp it by taping a time and date website pulled up on a computer. It seems like they are trying to avoid a glut of people blaming the city for anything and everything that happens during the construction.

This doesn't pass the sniff test. Talk to your neighbors and see if they got the same letter, then talk to your attorney and maybe your insurance company. If your home is insured, your insurance company pays the claim for damages then takes collection matters into their own capable hands. Remember, the insurance company does this for a living.

Contact the police and show them the letter - sounds like a new scam. If it is a scam contact the local media in hopes that they cover the story.

good luck valbee, agree this sounds fishy.

a quick google search didn't come up with much, just shows that there are many undergroud utilities located throughout the country. and their website is under construction

Underground Utilites Inc. Ohio Charter # 51586
416 W Monroe St. Monoeville OH

Incoporated by Mary I Stover in 1978
Active
6000 shares Class A Stock
14000 shares Class B Stock
Registered Agent John Bores

Company Location Huron County
Mary I Stover - No civil or criminal actions in Huron County
Underground Utilities
3 Law Suites in Huron County Municipal Court
2 as Plaintiff against City of Norwalk Ohio - settled
1 as Defendant - GTE North Services Plaintiff - settled

Case docket entries indicate all involved some kind of street/sewer/utility excavations

All were in 1994-1995. Nothing since then. After all that research I still dont know what this company actually does. Nor would I trust it. They need to better communicate exactly what services they offer and if those services have any legitimate value.

No idea who this outfit is. However, it is a good idea to have documentation re:the structure of your building before any high impact construction adjacent to your premises. You will need evidence of damage.

Thank you so much, everyone, for all the replies. I'm aware of one neighbor who received the letter (haven't heard back from the other one I asked) and they are allowing the taping. I have decided not to, based on brainswell's post regarding "assumed" liability vs. actually being liable.

I think this is a blanket attempt at scaring off any would be scammers who would cry foul as soon as the city breaks ground. This could even be as a result of the previous cases Holland cited.

I still do not like the company's tactics. I would not voluntarily allow someone into my home because they sent a letter addressed to "Resident" any more than I would hire a roofer going door to door to solicit business.

But I'm paid up on my homeowner's insurance and pretty happy with the service they provide, so I'm not going to waste any more time worrying about this particular issue when I have bigger fish to fry these days. :)