Warning to Homebuyers: My Rigged Oil Tank Inspection Led to Major Problems

I want to share my experience as a cautionary tale for anyone considering purchasing a home with an underground oil tank. Right before closing on my house, I hired a professional to inspect the buried oil tank on the property. They conducted a pressure test and told me it 'passed,' assuring me that everything was fine.

However, after moving in, we decided to remove the tank since we were switching to propane. To my shock, the tank had over 45 holes and had been leaking for nearly 19 years, which a soil test later confirmed. The contamination was severe, requiring the removal of seven 20-yard containers of tainted soil and costing me tens of thousands of dollars. Although I had insurance for the tank, it only covered the removal costs and did not account for the extensive damage done to my property.

When I reached out to the testing company about their failure to spot these serious issues, they quickly passed me off to their insurance company, who denied my claim without a valid reason. When I kept asking for accountability, they sent me a cease-and-desist letter to silence me. I've been left facing hefty financial losses, the stress of ongoing well water testing, and all the potential value loss from my home due to contamination disclosure laws in New York.

If a tank with such significant issues can pass inspection, how can homebuyers trust these tests? Has anyone had a similar experience where an oil tank inspection completely missed major problems? What have others done in this situation, and were they able to successfully hold the company accountable? I'd appreciate any advice or shared stories.