- Red flags include anything in a contract that’s different from what you were told in the sales pitch.
- Contractors should always be licensed and insured.
- Be aware of signing away insurance benefits.
Disasters like Hurricane Ian bring out the best in people – and the worst, including unscrupulous roofing companies, fake charities and unqualified construction workers who prey on victims’ emotions and vulnerability.
“Rebuilding will take months or longer, creating an inexhaustible demand for qualified contractors and debris removal services,” Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody said in a news release. “Sadly, bad actors may exploit this demand to take advantage of people just trying to rebuild their lives.”
Best rule of thumb: If it’s too good to be true, it probably is.
Here are some tips to help you avoid being a victim of scams after Ian, or any disaster.
Always read the entire contract before signing anything. Confirm details including cancellation clauses, final cost, due by dates and other key points. Red flags include anything on the contract that’s different from what you were told in the sales pitch, requirements to pay in full or put down a large deposit before the work is done and extremely low bids for work that should cost much more.
Don’t make hasty decisions. One resident of North Port, Florida, said she’s already been approached by a company that didn’t seem trustworthy based on several points in the proposed contract. “Yes, people are in desperate…
