Beware of 'storm chasers'
February 25, 2010
We've learned from experience that if an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is too good to be true.
That's good advice for area homeowners to keep in mind as our record-setting snowfall continues to melt and the damages it left behind become evident.
Washington County District Attorney Steve Toprani recently issued a warning about "storm chasers" -- con men who go door-to-door in search of suckers to listen to their repair scams.
The DA said these unscrupulous thieves tend to operate as "out-of-town" handymen who search through neighborhoods for visible storm damage, then offer quickie repairs, often at great discounts. Of course, once the scammers are paid, the work is either done shabbily or not done at all.
"Unethical and designing individuals may use the immediate need for home repairs as a way to scam our county's residents," Toprani warned. "Residents scammed by storm chasers face more than embarrassment. The financial loss can be devastating."
If you have suffered storm damage, there are many ways to find reputable contractors. Demand references from prospective workers and check them out thoroughly. Call your local chamber of commerce or the Better Business Bureau. Also, Pennsylvania offers a free service to verify contractor registration through the Attorney General's Office at 1-888-520-6680.
Toprani plans to aggressively pursue and prosecute these "storm chasers" -- vowing to sic the Elder Abuse Unit on anyone who preys on a resident over age 60 -- but the law can't catch everyone.
The best defense against scammers is an informed and responsible public. "Buyer beware" is always a sound consumer policy, especially in the wake of a major storm.
SOURCE: The PittsburghLive
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