Flooding and other natural disasters often bring out the best in people. Name any major event and you can find stories of neighbors helping neighbors and in some cases, even stories of outright heroism. It’s enough to make the heart swell with pride. Unfortunately, there is a darker side to these stressful times, and the same life upheavals that bring out the best also offer a glimpse into the darker side of human nature.
Scams have been around ever since the first person figured out that the gullible could easily be parted from their money with a few well placed words and empty promises. Scam artists are like sharks drawn to the scent of blood in the water, and they often move very fast in the aftermath of a disaster or other life altering event.
Some of the most common scams include:
Form Completion – Somebody comes to your home and, for a fee, offers to help you complete disaster assistance forms such as those from FEMA or the SBA. These are services that are provided free of charge through the Red Cross and FEMA itself, so anyone charging money to perform this task is a scam artist.
Phony Inspectors – these guys will show up claiming to work for this agency or that, take what they can get from you and of course you’ll never see them again. Never let anyone in to do any work on your home until they have produced the proper credentials. Ask them for their phone number so that you can verify that they do in fact work for the agency they claim to represent.
Government Grant Offers – you may be approached by someone claiming to represent the government, telling you they can help you obtain a grant for flood or disaster relief, again, for a fee. Government grants are free and do not require any upfront money or repayment. Do not respond to individuals trying to sell you this particular bill of goods. Instead, call your local or regional economic development office to see if you qualify for government assistance.
Advance Fee Loans – these are illegal to begin with, so run hard from any company that guarantees you a loan. Scam artists typically charge a processing fee with the promise that they will find a lender. Of course the money you spend disappears with them and you never hear another word. Remember that it is illegal to charge upfront fees.
And as always there is the ever popular rebuilding scam, where somebody shows up at your door and offers to do the repair work for a ridiculously attractive price. Don’t jump at the first guy who shows up at your door just because your roof is leaking. You may pay a deposit (usually “for materials”), and then he never returns to do the work. Scammers here usually stand out like a sore thumb if they:
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Are unwilling or unable to provide proof of licensing, bonding, and insurance.
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Insist on full payment or a large down payment before beginning any work.
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Offer a too good to be true price
If you are the victim of a scammer, be sure to notify local law enforcement immediately. Hopefully you’ll at least be able to spare others from getting ripped off.
Water Damage Local.com is a nationwide network of water restoration providers, licensed, bonded, insured, and certified by industry leaders such as the Institute For Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC). We can have an IICRC Certified technician out to your house within the hour in most cases, ready to assess the problem and begin the removal and restoration process. All work is guaranteed for one year.
Call the professionals at Water Damage Local.com today for all your water and flood damage needs.
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