Leaky roof? Wind damage? Seasonal storms pave way for scammers
Spring storm season is upon us. Wind, hail and rain damage puts many people in the market for home repair services this time of year.
But when storms roll through, scammers are not far behind. If your home or property has been damaged, beware of home improvement scammers who may be looking to prey on your situation and swindle you into paying for shoddy, overpriced or unneeded work.
“When someone’s home or property is damaged, they often need the work done immediately to avoid further harm. Out of state contractors that swing into town and offer work right then and there can be appealing, but this can also be risky,†Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller said. “As attorney general, I’ve seen far too many ‘storm chasers’ show up at the perfect time and pull one over on desperate homeowners. If you don’t take the time to research the best company, you may be left with a leaky roof and a hole in your pocket.â€
Door-to-door home repair scammers victimize people by urging immediate action or offering tempting discounts so that the customer doesn’t have time to fully vet the contract or the company.
Home repair scams are the No. 3 most common complaint reported to the Attorney General’s Office. In 2015, the Attorney General’s Office received more than 900 complaints related to home improvement scams. People had the most problems with roofing, chimney and gutter work.
The Indiana Attorney General’s Office encourages people to follow the below tips to avoid a home improvement scam:
Take your time. Don’t let the contractor rush your decision.
Do your research. Know how much you can afford and what you want done.
Get multiple price quotes from different contractors.
Check with the Better Business Bureau and the Attorney General’s Office to see if complaints have been filed against the contractor.
Check to make sure the contractor is locally licensed, bonded and insured. A performance bond provides the most direct protection for the consumer. Bonds that cover municipal code compliance may be helpful but would not offer direct monetary recovery for an aggrieved consumer.
Opt for the local, well-established contractor rather than the door-to-door ‘storm chaser.’
Get a contract in writing that details what work is to be done and when it will be finished.
If the contractor came to your door unsolicited, ensure you receive a notice from the contractor of your ability to cancel the contract within three days for a full refund before signing any contract.
Never pay for the entire project before the work begins. Do not pay more than a third of the total cost as a down payment.
If you believe you have been scammed by a home contractor, you can file a complaint with the Attorney General’s Office at www.IndianaConsumer.com or by calling 1-800-382-5516.
