Disaster Home Repair Construction Scams:

In the aftermath of hurricanes Katrina and Rita along the Gulf Coast, there have been a large number of construction scams perpetrated on persons who have been seeking to restore their homes. State attorney general's offices in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida have been actively pursuing investigations and prosecutions of parties involved in this type of fraud.

When people find themselves desperate to find "anyone" who will initiate repairs to their homes in the aftermath of such a disaster, they can become an easy target for an unscrupulous person or company. Do not let frustration and desperation push you into making an unsound decision when it involves your home and large sums of money.

Beware Of:

1. Companies or individuals who are not established in your region or community and have not been working in the area until after the catastrophe.
2. Companies or individuals not licensed to do business in your area or state. This can be checked through your state's respective secretary of state office or your city and/or parish or county government offices.
3. Companies or individuals that cannot produce references or past examples of their work that you can personally check and verify. Even out of state companies working in the area should have completed jobs or jobs in progress in your area that you can check on.
4. Companies or individuals that do not have a physical business address which you can personally check and verify are highly suspect. A company or individual that can only provide you with a P.O. Box address are highly suspect as well and should be avoided.
5. Companies or individuals that want large amounts of funding at the beginning of a job are suspect. Most reputable companies or individuals ask for a 1/3 of the estimated cost of the job to initiate the work; an additional 1/3 around the time that the job is at the halfway point; the final 1/3 when the job is completed. (Any variation on such payments and funding during the job is acceptable as long as you are paying for parts of the job as they are completed or nearing completion)
6. Check with the Better Business Bureau, your local building codes offices, or your respective state attorney general's office for any type of complaints or problems these respective offices may have been notified of concerning a specific company and their work.
7. Companies or individuals that approach you or solicit your business by coming directly to your home without being asked or requested should be highly suspect. Reputable companies or individuals, in the aftermath of such disasters, have an over abundance of work and do not seek out work by going door to door or visiting disaster areas. This practice is always highly suspect even in times where no such disaster has occurred.
8. Companies or individuals who approach you reporting that they have been working in the area and have a surplus of repair materials should be considered highly suspect and should be avoided at any time. This is a common scam used by companies or individuals that have no intent of providing you with sound and quality repairs. Usually you find you have paid for sub-standard materials and workmanship or the work is never completed before these individuals disappear with your monies.

Your local buidling code enforcement office also has the ability and authority to inspect any construction site to ensure the proper permits have been obtained and that the work being done meets local building codes.

If you find yourself a victim of such a scam or suspect a company or individual doing work in your area that may be involved in some type of construction or repair fraud report it immediately to your local law enforcement agency and your respective attorney general's office.

Telemarketing Fraud:

With the advent of the national "do not call" registry this type of crime has been on the decline but is still prevalent today.

You should suspect any unsolicited phone call or email. Any time you receive a phone call or an email offering you some of type service, product, or "bargain" that you did not request or ask about ... consumer beware !

The Warning Signs:

1. You have "won" a free gift, trip, prize, or vacation but you have to pay for some type of fee, charge, or "postage & handling".
2. You must send money, give a credit card or bank account number, or have a check picked up by a "courier" service to be eligible for the special prize or trip.
3. You must provide or confirm personal identifcation such as a social security number, credit card number, bank account number, etc. Never give any of your personal financial or identification information to any unsolicited caller or business.
4. You must "act now" or the offer will expire today.
5. The caller becomes reluctant or evasive when you inquire about their specific business address and details of their company operation. Legitamate businesses understand that customers want information about their company and are happy to comply.
6. Legitatmate businesses or charities will be happy to send you any brochures or written materials about their company or services they provide. Any caller that is reluctant to do this is highly suspect.
7. When you receive brochures or written offers from companies that you are unfamiliar with check them out. This can be done by checking with the Better Business Bureau where the company is located or by checking with the attorney generals office or secretary of state office where the business is located.
8. Any fees associated with a "free prize" that is reportedly for taxes is in violation of federal law. Do not ever agree to pay or provide a caller with any financial information or credit card information concerning a "special offer" or "free prize".
9. Never agree to or respond to any type of offer or "deal" that you do not understand fully. If a prospective offer or deal interests you be cautious, nosey, and seek advise before you make any type of decision or commitment. Some of the best scams in the world come with a full array of pretty packaging, whistles, bells, and balloons.

It is natural to become embarrassed and sometimes even ashamed of yourself for becoming a victim of a fraud scheme or scam. Do not let these feelings prevent you from reporting the fraud to a law enforcement agency. Con artists and grifters are very adept at gaining people’s trust and acceptance ... it is what they do for a living. Your help can prevent another unsuspecting person from becoming a victim and your cooperation with law enforcement can help identify and bring the suspect(s) to justice.