Homeowners Allege Swimming Pool Contractors Scammed Them

Inside Edition interviewed customers across Maryland who say Catalina Pool Builders took their money for new pools and never finished the job. The families say they each paid tens of thousands of dollars for what was supposed to be a backyard paradise. After months of waiting and with no refund in sight, they now say their dreams of owning a pool are officially sunk. Catalina abruptly went out of business, blaming its problems on pandemic-related supply shortages and rising costs. The company and its owners do not face criminal charges but the state of Maryland revoked the pool company's license after customers filed dozens of lawsuits.

[DailyNaps]

It’s nice of inside edition to give these victims a voice!

[BelovedbyAdonai]

What's sad is that they weren't held criminal liable. No matter how many lawsuits, will the victims ever get their money back?

[MO-uxuq]

There's no criminal charges? This is absolutely criminal fraud. The owner needs a stiff prison sentence.

[gregamericano]

How can they not be criminally charged?? They committed fraud and basically robbed people of their money

[bepriceless]

That's not a scam; that's fraud and theft.

[kevinclark]

Revoke their license means nothing. They'll go and get a license in someone else's name. I had something like that happen to me with a pool liner company. You have to go to the consumer affairs department and see if the company has a lot of complaints. That's how I found about all the complaints the liner company had, and all they did was get a license in someone else's name.

[gdewyg]

Nothing is more disappointing than being scammed by someone you paid for

[BUSSINJUSTINM]

2:00 Grandma’s voice sounds like she inhaled Sulfur Hexafluoride💀😭

[raterus]

Rule #1: Only pay for completed work.
Rule #2: Pull permits, the added oversight from the city or county will cause shady builders to run.

[jmrp]

i really don't understand how this isn't a criminal matter. sick stuff and im hoping the families receive compensation

[Magencory]

How will there not be criminal charges!? That’s literally STEALING! It’s literal grand theft! Huge felonies, huge fines and prison time! If I personally stole $40, 000 plus from someone, I’d be in jail for years! How is this any different? Ooh, I would push so hard until I couldn’t for prosecution. I’m so sorry to these victims.

[tucker_]

I was scammed by a RV company. They did not tell me the history of the vehicle. Went to court and fought it in trial just to be devastated that they did no wrongdoing. What type of dealership is selling damaged RVs? Don't know how the jury returned a not guilty verdict. Literally might lose 20k on the deal and I'm 28.

[beccac]

Why isn't this a criminal matter? He scammed them, stole their money. This is felony charges.

[bc]

I will never pay anyone 1 cent until my job is completed and inspected after completion. Any contractor who refuses those terms is NOT someone to trust!

[PredicadorLuzEscobedo]

I tried to use catalina pools during the pandemic in a newspaper ad. The estimate they gave me was way more out of my budget. I am glad haven’t used them for my pool.

[YummyFood]

See I love inside edition! This is literally broadcasting at its finest!! Keep it up! Great work great video and great job getting deep inside the story.

[edwinb]

This is why people should never pay more than $5, 000 deposit to a contractor

[KingNemba]

I'm so sorry this happened to them :( I hope they get their justic

[S_Paoli]

PSA: do not use money from your life savings for something as frivolous as backyard swimming pools. If you have spare money or extra income that can go towards building a pool, great! If you have to dip into your life savings or retirement funds, please don't do it. (source of my comment: my mother's friend who has been a CPA for 37 years)

[lauranewbie]

Poor people. I feel so bad for them. Too bad I don't know how to build pools, I'd volunteer my time to help them out if I did. 😔 Those thieves need to be brought to justice! No criminal charges, that's ridiculous.