Tornado Victims Now Face Possible Home Improvement Scams

This Spring has seen some wacky weather across the United States, including snowstorms in sunny California and flooding across the Midwestern and Southern states, but the violent Tornados that have whipped across many states leaving death and destruction in their wake have left towns destroyed and many people staring at rubble which was once their home.  Hundreds of volunteers were helping clean up debris in their wake, but now with virtually all of them gone, homeowners still need help replacing, rebuilding and repairing what’s left… which puts them at risk for Home Improvement Scams.

Lancaster County, Pennsylvania District Attorney Craig Stedman says people in need is a perfect opportunity for crime and scammers know it.   Stedman says it’s a ripe situation for contractors to just show up to your home. The D.A. says he hasn’t had any reports of scams yet involving the tornado-ravaged area. but he says he’s putting out the message as a warning.   He warns you should be wary of any contractors who knock on your door and offer to make repairs on the spot.

The D.A. says contractors need to be registered and licensed with the state, and if you agree to the work, make sure everything is written down.  “Have it in a contract. There is a home improvement fraud crime. We can investigate it, the Attorney General can investigate it. Of course, you don’t want to go to the point it’s a crime and that’s why you want to make sure what you’re signing is legitimate and you’re signing with a legitimate company,” said Stedman.

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