Attorney General Chris Carr is warning Georgians to be on the lookout for home repair fraud and other scams following the recent tornadoes and severe storms that moved throughout the state.
“Con artists will try to take advantage of those impacted by severe weather, and we want to remind Georgians of the important steps they can take to protect themselves from potential fraud,” said Carr. “If your home or business was damaged, we urge you to thoroughly research a contractor before hiring anyone to make repairs. We understand this is a difficult time for families and communities, and we stand ready to assist those who think they have encountered a scam.”
These scam artists, often referred to as “storm chasers,” may ask homeowners for up-front 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 you 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 a case of 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.
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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.
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Avoid door-to-door offers for home repair work. Instead, ask friends and neighbors for referrals.
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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.
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Ask contractors for references and check them out.
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Check with the Better Business Bureau to see if there are any complaints against the…
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