Reports of people cheating storm victims haven’t come in yet, but Whiteland police and Johnson County Sheriff’s Office are hoping to head scammers off at the pass.
As Johnson County rebuilds from last week’s severe weather, people will be clamoring to find a reputable contractor to repair or rebuild their home or business. It is important to vet contractors and to watch for common gimmicks that are meant to manipulate people into hiring them, Sheriff Duane Burgess said.
“We have a lot of good people in and around Johnson County who do good work, but there are also people out there who are going to prey on emotions,” Burgess said. “We don’t want anyone to be taken advantage of.”
With the onset of spring storm season, Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita issued a warning about storm scammers last week.
“Hoosiers can protect their hard-earned money by asking questions, demanding a written contract, and doing old-fashioned research,” Rokita said in the statement. “It can be tempting to accept help to fix damages to your home, but it’s crucial to take a step back and fully vet the contractor.”
Rokita and Burgess warned of people who go door to door offering to make repairs. Sometimes, faux contractors appear on people’s doorsteps, promise to make needed repairs, and then disappear with a down payment in their pockets but never to return to do the work, they warned.
Burgess said these types of scammers target neighborhoods that were damaged by storms and use high-pressure tactics to get the job, sometimes they may pose as a building inspector or demand payment upfront. Other times scammers overcharge for work, or may complete the job cheaply and deliver substandard work.
“If it is too good to be true, it usually is,” Burgess said.
To avoid becoming a victim, Burgess recommends asking a trusted friend to look over repairs, asking the contractors for references or a website referral, asking for company identification and avoiding hiring people who ask for a downpayment, especially not without a written contract including a detailed scope of work and a start and finish date.
Rokita further recommends getting multiple estimates for repairs, hiring a bonded and insurer contractor, and never paying a contractor via wire transfer, gift card, cryptocurrency or cash.
Before hiring anyone, homeowners should have a conversation with their insurance agent, especially before agreeing to a price and start date. People should also understand their insurance deductible and what their out-of-pocket cost, Burgess said.
People should also be aware that FEMA doesn’t charge application fees, Rokita said.
“If someone wants money to help you qualify for FEMA funds, that’s probably a scam,” Rokita said.
Anyone who is victimized or suspects a scam can reach out to the sheriff’s office tip line at 317-346-4654.
People can also file a complaint at indianaconsumer.com or call Rokita’s office at 800-382-5516.
