Authorities are warning residents to stay wary of contractor scams as they begin to repair damages caused by Hurricane Francine, which tore through southeast Louisiana last week.
Predatory contractors and companies frequently target homeowners who were victims of natural disasters to get money or steal personal information through fraud or identity theft, the Federal Emergency Management Agency wrote in a statement Thursday. Some cases involve thieves applying for FEMA assistance using names, addresses and Social Security numbers taken from victims.
Fraudulent contractors have targeted Louisiana residents numerous times over the last several years. The United States Attorney’s Office said that over 1,200 complaints for fraudulent cases were reported in Baton Rouge in 2016 after historic floods devastated south Louisiana.
Signs to watch out for
Officials said that your personal information might have been used if a FEMA inspector comes to your home when you did not submit an application.
All FEMA officials carry identification badges with photo IDs and never charge applicants for assistance or guarantee a grant in return for a payment after a disaster.
Officials urge residents to not give personal banking information to a person claiming to be a FEMA inspector. Homeowners should tell the inspector that assistance was not requested and call the helpline at 800-621-3362 to stop further processing of the application.
If residents think they are already a victim of fraud, report it immediately to local police or a sheriff’s department.
Hiring a contractor?
The Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors encourages residents to take the following steps to verify if a contractor is licensed or registered:
Make sure to get the contractor’s name, business address and their license or registration number.Have the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors verify the license or registration number.Get at least three bids for the project before deciding on a contractor.Ask for proof of active general liability insurance and worker’s compensation.Require a contract signed by the resident and contractor that agrees on the estimated start and completion dates for a project, a description of work to be performed and the total cost.Never pay a large down payment or for an uncompleted project.
Click the link here for more tips on how to avoid contractor fraud.
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Publish date : 2024-09-20 09:30:00
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