Subscriber Benefit
As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowIndiana Attorney General Curtis Hill is cautioning Hoosiers against immediately signing contracts for home repair and restoration services in the wake of this week’s severe thunderstorms.
In a Tuesday news release, the Attorney General’s Office emphasized the message of the Consumer Protection Division’s “Double check before you write a check” campaign — to encourage residents to research companies offering home restoration and repair services immediately after an outbreak of severe weather before paying for the purported services. Hill’s advice comes after possible tornadoes were reported in Carroll, Huntington, Miami and Wabash counties this week and as various parts of the state are experiencing flooding.
Often, companies claiming to offer home repair and restoration work are not legitimate, but instead are “storm chasers” seeking to take advantage of Hoosiers who are experiencing distress in the aftermath of severe weather, Hill’s office said in the news release. Hill and the CPD offered tips for avoiding scams, including:
• Declining to agree to any repair or restoration work on the spot during initial contact with anyone offering services
• Refusing to immediately sign contracts or agreements of any kind without first gathering information and researching the businesses being represented
• Looking for signs of credibility, such as business websites that can be easily navigated and verified
• Seeking reviews and testimonials from former customers
The Attorney General’s Office encouraged homeowners who believe they may be a victim of a scam to contact the Consumer Protection Division.
Please enable JavaScript to view this content.