Be wary and extra cautious about after-hurricane scam repairs and fundraisers

Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli warned Virginians about the dangers of post-hurricane “storm chaser” scammers. As Hurricane Sandy left behind power outages, downed trees, and property damage, scammers-or “storm chasers”-will likely try to take advantage of vulnerable storm victims as well as those who want to donate money to help them.

While many legitimate businesses are offering to help citizens affected by Hurricane Sandy, some common “after-disaster” scams involve auto, home, and yard repairs or clean-up. The attorney general warned Virginia citizens to be cautious as they move forward with clean up and repair efforts. “There will always be people out there looking to make a quick buck off our citizens when they are most vulnerable,” said Cuccinelli. “I urge all Virginians to protect themselves from these scammers during the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.”

The attorney general is encouraging those who have experienced storm damage to take the following precautions before beginning cleanup or making any repair decisions: 

• Check with your insurance company first to find out what is covered by your policy.

• Do not make any hasty repair decisions. Make temporary repairs if necessary.

• Get estimates and shop around for repair professionals or contractors.

• Visit the Better Business Bureau website (http://www.bbb.org) for ratings and contractor information.

• Be wary of door-to-door workers who claim to have left-over materials from a nearby job or who do not have a permanent place of business.

•Get everything in writing, read the fine print, and ask questions.

• Never pay in full in advance, and do not pay in cash.

For complaint information about contractors, consumers may contact the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulations’ Board for Contractors. Citizens should also be on the lookout for bogus charities that are collecting charitable contributions in the aftermath of a natural disaster. Citizens may contact the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Office of Charitable and Regulatory Programs to verify that a charity is indeed registered to solicit in Virginia. As a general rule, consumers should stick with well-known, established charities, such as the American Red Cross, when making donations.

If you feel you have been a “storm chaser” victim, the Office of the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection telephone counselors are available to assist you with your consumer questions. Call the Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-800-552-9963. The Consumer Protection office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.