Beware of Storm-Related Repair Scams

Lawndale News Chicago's Bilingual Newspaper - Local News

Lawndale News Chicago's Bilingual Newspaper - Local News

Following fatal storms in southern and central Illinois Friday night, Attorney General Kwame Raoul today warned residents to be on alert for scammers looking to exploit homeowners and business owners who may be in need of repairs from storm-related damage. After severe storms and tornadoes resulted in several fatalities in Edwardsville, Illinois, and damaged communities throughout the state, Gov. JB Pritzker issued a state disaster proclamation for 28 counties and activated the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) to provide assistance in affected areas. Raoul cautioned residents that scammers often move quickly into communities to take advantage of people with damage to their homes or businesses. Raoul offered the following tips to help families and businesses avoid dishonest contractors:

• Be wary of contractors who go door to door to offer repair services or “free” inspections. Ask for recommendations from people you know and trust and, whenever possible, use established local contractors.

• Visit the Better Business Bureau’s St. Louis, Central Illinois, Quad Cities or Chicago websites to see if a business is a member and whether any complaints have been lodged against it.

• Get all of the terms of a contract in writing, and obtain a copy of the signed contract.

• Never make full payment until all the work has been completed to your satisfaction.

• Never pay in cash.

• Be aware that you have the right to cancel a contract within three business days if you signed it based on the contractor’s visit to your home.

• Ask to see required state and local permits and licenses. Insurance adjusters and roofers must be licensed by state agencies. It should raise a red flag if the roofer or adjuster does not have a required license, or if the name on the license does not match the name on the business card or truck. Please visit the IDFPR’s website to search for roofing licenses. Visit the DOI’s website, or call 866-445-5364 to verify that a public adjuster is licensed and in good standing.

Raoul encouraged local residents and business owners to call local law enforcement agencies and his office’s Consumer Fraud Hotline (1-800-386-5438 in Chicago, 1-800-243-0618 in Springfield and 1-800-243-0607 in Carbondale) to report any suspicious activity.

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