Consumer experts warn homeowners with storm damage to beware of ‘storm chasers’

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) — The Better Business Bureau is warning anyone with damage after Tropical Storm Debby to watch for “storm chasers” — scammers that target people needing repairs following severe weather.

According to the agency, oftentimes, local contractors may be busier than usual after a natural disaster and people with damage may be anxious to get their homes fixed. In turn, it can cause them to miss a few red flags, and open a door for scammers.

The President/CEO of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) serving central South Carolina and Charleston, Chris Hadley, said the first thing anyone with damage should do is contact their insurance company for guidance. Then, he recommends they keep all receipts for expenses that may be covered under their policy.

When picking someone to work with to repair damage to your home or car, Hadley said there are a few things to keep in mind. He tells homeowners to make sure contractors are licensed and all information about their services and costs is given upfront.

“Contractors can’t do more than $500 worth of work on your house unless they are a licensed contractor,” he explained. “And if you have someone do work on your house – they are not a licensed contractor — if they were to fall or get injured at your house, you could really be setting yourself up for a lawsuit.”

Hadley also advises residents to be careful when speaking with contractors who come up to their door. He said it is a red flag if they pressure homeowners to make a decision quickly or offer a deal that is too good to be true.

“Any good contractor that does not give you time to make a good decision, to do your homework, then that’s a huge red flag — you don’t want to do business with those folks,” he said. “You want to go into business with someone that’s going to partner with you.”

Hadley also said South Carolinians should not sign over their insurance checks. Instead, he recommends asking for an invoice and paying the business directly using a credit card. He also warns residents to be cautious of contractors asking for large down payments or the full payment before the work is done.

“We understand that these are business owners, they need to make sure the consumer is serious about this, so putting a deposit, a down payment, something like that is certainly reasonable –but you would never pay for the full amount until all the work is completed and you are satisfied with it,” Hadley said.

If homeowners have any questions about hiring a contractor, they should contact the Better Business Bureau, where they can get help with the research process.