A Hyrum garage door installer has been arrested and charged with multiple felonies after allegedly taking thousands of dollars from customers and never completing the work.

According to the Cache County Sheriff’s Office, 41-year-old Kyle Bret Hansen, owner of Apex Garage Doors, collected more than $11,000 in payments from two customers for new garage doors that were never installed.

Court documents state one homeowner paid Hansen $4,065 for a new garage door in June. When the job went unfinished, Hansen allegedly offered a string of excuses, including supply delays, phone issues, scheduling problems, and even a family emergency.

The situation escalated when that customer spoke with a neighbor, who reported paying Hansen $7,308 for similar work that was also never completed. The neighbor said they contacted Hansen more than 15 times before he stopped responding altogether.

When questioned by deputies, Hansen claimed his accounting company should have issued refunds, though no money was ever returned. Investigators also discovered that Apex Garage Doors’ business license had been dissolved after Hansen failed to renew it.

Criminal Charges Filed

Hansen was briefly booked into the Cache County Jail before being released. He has since made an initial court appearance in Logan’s 1st District Court, where prosecutors filed two cases against him. Charges include three counts of theft by deception and one count of communications fraud, all felonies. If convicted, Hansen could face more than 15 years in prison.

Protecting Yourself from Garage Door Repair Fraud

This case and other instances of defrauding customers, false pretense, and overcharging by fake garage door companies highlight the risks unwary homeowners face when hiring garage door repair or installation contractors.

Garage door scams are on the rise across the U.S., as homeowners increasingly find themselves overpaying for poor services provided by incompetent workers or paying for new garage doors and garage door openers that are never delivered.

Authorities recommend taking several steps to avoid falling victim to common garage door and contractor scams:

• Verify licenses and registration. Ensure the business is properly licensed and registered with the state. A dissolved or expired license is a major warning sign. California garage door contractors can be verified on the CSLB website. Learn about the process here.
• Limit upfront payments. Make an upfront payments to a portion of the job cost.
• Get contracts in writing. A detailed contract should outline the scope of work, payment schedule, and timeline for completion.
• Check references and reviews. Look for recent customer reviews and ask for direct references before committing to a contractor.

Homeowners who believe they’ve been scammed should file a complaint with local law enforcement, the district attorney, and consumer protection agencies relevant to their area. Acting quickly can improve the chances of recovering funds and may help prevent others from being scammed.

Officials are reminding residents that due diligence and clear contracts are the best defense against garage door repair and contractor fraud.