In light of our recent storms, Highland Public Safety wants you to be on alert for con artists looking to exploit homeowners and local businesses that need repairs or clean up due to weather-related damage. During these times of distress, scammers called “storm chasers” tend to flood towns while homeowners are most vulnerable.
The Illinois Attorney General provides the following information for consumer safeguards.
Warning Signs of Home Repair Rip-Off Schemes:
- Unsolicited door-to-door salespeople with no local connections who offer to do home repair work for substantially less than market price.
- A company that lists only a telephone or post-office box number solicits you for repair work.
- A contractor who refuses to provide proof of insurance and references when requested.
- Someone who offers to inspect your home for free without authentic identification to establish their business status.
- A contractor demanding cash payment and/or full payment before they complete a job.
- A contractor who asks for a check payable to a third party.
- A contractor who offers to drive the homeowner to his/her bank to withdraw funds to pay for their work.
Things to consider when hiring a contractor to help with home repair:
- Get more than one estimate and get it in writing.
- Don’t fall for high-pressure sales tactics and prices that seem “too good to be true”.
- Get the name and address of the business and check to see how long they have been in business.
- Scrutinize the contract. It should include contact information, description of the work to be performed, estimates, and total cost.
If you become a victim of a scam or believe someone in the community is trying to scam citizens, call the Highland Police Department at 618-654-2131 ext 1 or your local police department. To file a complaint with the Illinois Attorney General https://illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/File-A-Complaint/ The Consumer Protection Division of the Illinois Attorney General’s Office may be able to assist.
