Fighting Fraud
By Better Business Bureau Serving Greater Cleveland
The Better Business Bureau (BBB®) is warning area homeowners to beware of “storm chasers” and out-of-town contractors soliciting business this spring. Although not all storm chasers are scammers, they may lack proper licensing and insurance, offer quick but inappropriate fixes, or make promises they can’t deliver on. BBB is providing the following tips for consumers:
- Remember the Basics – BBB recommends homeowners obtain three estimates for repairs, get everything in writing, and pay with a credit card when possible. Find businesses you can trust on BBB.org.
- Be Careful of Door-to-Door Contractors – Ask for identification from any individual going door-to-door. Check the worker’s company vehicle for a business name and contact information. Write down their license plate number. If you are contacted by a contractor going door-to-door, verify with your city that they have a solicitor’s permit.
- Contact Your Insurance Company – If your home or car suffered severe weather damage, ask your insurance company about policy coverage and specific filing requirements. Save all receipts for food, temporary lodging, or other expenses that may be covered under your policy. Your insurance company may also have recommended contractors.
- Resist High-Pressure Sales – Some storm chasers use tactics such as the “good deal” you’ll only get if you hire the contractor on the spot. Sometimes unscrupulous contractors will also offer a deal on repairs citing they have “leftover material” from another job site. Disaster victims should never feel forced to make a hasty decision.
- Don’t Sign Over Insurance Checks to Contractors – Obtain an invoice from the contractor and pay them directly. Don’t sign any documents that give the contractor any rights to your insurance claims. If you have questions, contact your insurance company or agent.
- Be Wary Regarding Places You Can’t See. While most contractors abide by the law, be careful allowing someone you do not know to inspect your roof and other areas of your house. An unethical contractor may actually create damage to get work. The same goes for attics, crawl spaces, ducts, and other places you cannot easily access or see for yourself.
More BBB resources are available here.
If you have spotted a scam (whether or not you’ve lost money), report it to BBB.org/ScamTracker. These reports can help others avoid falling victim to scams. Consumers can also visit the Scam Tracker website to view the latest reported scams in their neighborhood or across North America.
Have additional questions? Reach out to your BBB at 216-241-7678 or [email protected]. Have a scam to report? Report it to BBB.org/ScamTracker.
