Tornados and storms are commonplace in the spring and summer, especially in the midwest. While storm damage usually brings out the best in our neighbors, as we lend helping hands, it brings out the worst in scammers looking to take advantage of people affected by storms.
The next time a storm passes through your area, keep these tips in mind to prevent falling for storm damage repair scams:
- Check your insurance coverage. Don’t let anyone else tell you what your insurance covers besides the actual insurance company. It’s important to communicate with them directly after any storm damage to understand the terms of your policy and what’s covered. Additionally, your insurer may have preferred contractors or specific requirements for you to follow.
- Verify credentials. Scammers posing as contractors will often claim they don’t need a license to do repair work. To be safe, it’s best to only hire contractors who are both licensed and insured. Ask them for proof of insurance and check with your state or county government to confirm their license is valid. Vet any potential contractors on trusted online review sites, such as the Better Business Bureau.
- Don’t pay contractors upfront. Contractors or service providers demanding payment upfront should set off a red flag. When using a contractor for storm damage repair, don’t sign insurance checks or give away the rights to your insurance claim to them. Additionally, keep in mind that FEMA doesn’t charge application fees. If someone wants money to help you qualify for FEMA funds, it’s a scam.
- Slow down. Scammers often flock to neighborhoods that were hit badly by recent storms. If someone shows up at your door, be careful – especially if they start pressuring you to act fast. It’s better to get repairs done correctly rather than quickly. Scammers use various methods of persuasion, intimidation, and manipulation to create a sense of urgency and pressure you into purchasing their services. Be skeptical, don’t rush into anything, ask trusted friends for their opinion, and use your best judgement.
We hope you don’t need to use these tips! But in the event of a storm, keep them handy for you and any loved ones affected by storm damage.