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Attorney General Mike DeWine
DeWine Warns of
Storm-Chaser Scams Following Severe Weather
(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Following the severe weather that hit northwest Ohio
and other parts of the state last night, Ohio Attorney General Mike
DeWine is warning consumers to beware of home repair scams.
“Any time you have tornados, severe thunderstorms, downed trees, or
damaged buildings, there’s a risk of scams,” Attorney General DeWine
said. “Some con artists track severe weather so that they can travel to
affected areas to rip off homeowners. They promise to make repairs
right away, but after getting paid, they leave town without completing
the work. We’re encouraging people to be very careful. The first
contractor who shows up after a storm may not be the best.”
Attorney General DeWine’s office has pursued dozens of enforcement
actions against home improvement contractors who failed to deliver
promised services to consumers. In some cases, the contractors targeted
consumers in storm-damaged areas, accepted large down payments
(sometimes the consumer’s insurance check), and left before completing
the work.
Consumers whose homes have been affected by a storm should be wary of
fly-by-night contractors who come to their door to offer repairs.
Before entering into a contract with any home improvement business,
consumers should take steps to protect themselves, such as:
Research the business. Obtain the name, address, and phone number of
any contractor offering to do work for you. Check for complaints on
file with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office and the Better Business
Bureau. Conduct an Internet search of the business’s name and words
like “complaints,” “reviews,” or “scam.” Contact other customers to ask
about their experiences with the contractor. If possible, get
recommendations from neighbors, friends, or family. Don’t accept
services from a contractor who refuses to provide proper
identification.
Get multiple estimates. Consider getting estimates from at least three
different contractors. Be wary if one contractor quotes a price that is
dramatically lower than the prices other businesses are offering. The
contractor later may demand more money or fail to complete the work as
promised.
Don’t make large payments in advance. Be wary of contractors who demand
large upfront payments, such as half or more of the total cost. Also be
wary of contractors who ask you to sign over your insurance check. Try
to pay in increments, as the work is completed to your satisfaction.
Get a detailed written contract. Insist on a written contract detailing
the costs, the work to be done, the starting and end dates, and any
verbal promises made by the contractor.
Understand your cancellation rights. If the contract resulted from a
door-to-door sale, you generally have three days to cancel the
contract, according to Ohio’s Home Solicitation Sales Act. The seller
should give you written notice of these rights.
Consider paying with a credit card. Paying with a credit card generally
gives you greater protections to dispute unauthorized charges,
especially compared to paying in cash.
Consumers who need help or who want to report a potential scam should
contact the Ohio Attorney General’s Office at www.OhioProtects.org or
800-282-0515.
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