Pierce County citizens affected by storm damage from Hurrican Helene and other severe weather events are advised to be on the lookout for scam artists.
When bad storms cause widespread damage to homes, criminals may try to exploit the disaster. Often referred to as “storm chasers,” these con men may ask homeowners for upfront payments for home repair service and then disappear without ever doing the work. In other cases, scammers may charge exorbitant prices for tree removal, charge for unnecessary repairs or do substandard work.
Sometimes scammers offer to cover the homeowner’s insurance deductible and persuade them to give fake reports to the insurance company, potentially implicating the homeowner in insurance fraud.
The Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division offers the following tips to help consumers avoid scams and other fraud in the aftermath of a storm: Steer clear of any contractor who asks for full payment up-front, only accepts payment in cash, or refuses to provide you with a written contract.
Avoid door-to-door offers for home repair work. Instead, ask friends and neighbors for referrals.
Be skeptical of any contractor that offers to pay your insurance deductible or offers other no-cost incentives, as these can be signs of a scam. Always talk to your insurance company before committing to any storm-related repairs or inspections.
Ask contractors for references and check them out.
Check with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to see if there are any complaints against the business.
Ensure that the contractor has the required licensing and/or affiliation.
Tree Removal: Check with the International Society of Arboriculture to make sure the person has a valid arborist license.
Water Damage and Mold: Only hire businesses that are local and qualified in mold remediation and property restoration. To find local contractors and restorers, check with the Society of Cleaning and Restoration Technicians and the Restoration Industry Association.
Contractors: General contractors, electricians, plumbers, and heating and air conditioning contractors must be licensed with the Georgia Secretary of State’s Office. To look up a contractor, visit sos.ga.gov. Please note that certain specialty occupations such as roofers, tree removal services, painters, drywall contractors and repair handymen are not required to be licensed by the state.
Legitimate contractors should be able to provide the following: business license, general liability insurance, workers compensation insurance, written manufacturer warranties and written labor warranties.
Public adjusters are also required to carry a license to do work in Georgia. Before hiring a public adjuster to do any work on your behalf, call the Insurance Commissioner’s Office at 1-800-656-2298 to verify that he/she is licensed and that his/her contract has been approved.
For additional information about storm fraud, visit the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division website.
