Victims of Past Storms Warn Against Scams
By JILL BARTON
Associated Press Writer
September 7, 2005, 3:22 AM EDT
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Once the immediate effects of Hurricane Katrina have subsided, Gulf Coast residents will have to deal with another plague -- scam artists wanting to take advantage of their desperation.
After four hurricanes pummeled Florida last year, many people fell victim to fraudulent contractors who walked off with their money and left their homes in even worse shape. Even legitimate contractors illegally raised their fees. One company tried to charge Orange County residents as much as $30,000 for tree removal.
Barry and Naomi Slosberg paid a roofing contractor $16,000 to fix their Punta Gorda home. But more than a year after Hurricane Charley tore through the area, the work has not been completed and the phone numbers for the roofer and his contracting company have long been out of service. Several other residents paid the same contractor.
"Going through the hurricane was bad enough. Now we're going to have to pay for two roofs," Naomi Slosberg said.
Following last year's storms, nearly 9,000 Florida residents filed complaints with the state attorney general's office of contractors walking off with their money or starting repairs to a roof that only made it more vulnerable to torrential rains.
They also complained of price gouging at gas stations, hotels, tree removal companies and other businesses. Attorney General Charlie Crist's office has started 58 investigations and recovered more than $700,000.
"Whenever you have a storm the magnitude of Katrina, you have to be watchful of someone who might want to take advantage of the situation. People always need to utilize common sense," Crist said.
Officials have warned residents of workers who charge too much or too little. Some businesses could be illegally inflating prices. Others could be charging less because they have no plans to complete the work after receiving a hefty down payment.
"I got to the point where I just didn't trust anybody," said Jon Wells of Royal Palm Beach, who was scammed out of $2,000 by a man using another contractor's name and license.
Palm Beach County Sheriff's Investigator Miguel Corzo said many residents are overwhelmed with the cost of repairs and are too quick to go with the cheapest price. But a licensed, reputable contractor often has added costs, such as workers' compensation insurance.
"Most of the time it comes down to two things: people getting desperate and people who want to save money," Corzo said.
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Link Here
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Guidelines to Avoid Fraud in Wake of Storm
By The Associated Press
September 7, 2005, 3:23 AM EDT
Guidelines to avoid fraud in the wake of Hurricane Katrina:
* Do not pay cash to home repair contractors or tree removal services.
* Require home repair contractors to obtain all necessary government licenses and permits, rather than leaving that burden on the consumer.
* Work only with reputable, established businesses. Avoid so-called contractors who knock on your door offering to fix your roof or windows, often arriving in an unmarked truck or van.
* Obtain more than one estimate for the repair work and take time to check references and compare bids.
* Before signing a contract, check the payment terms and other provisions carefully. Don't pay a contractor in advance.
* Be wary of high pressure sales tactics, low prices secured with leftover materials, and post office box addresses and telephone numbers that lead to an answering service.
* Once you've chosen a contractor, make certain any verbal promises are written into the contract.
* Specify materials and completion dates. Don't make the final payment until the work is completed according to the contract.
* __
Phone numbers to report fraud and price gouging:
In Florida: 866-9-NO-SCAM or 866-966-7226.
In Alabama: 800-392-5658 or 334-242-7334
In Mississippi: 601-359-4230 or 800-281-4418.
In Louisiana: 800-488-2770.
Link Here
Associated Press Writer
September 7, 2005, 3:22 AM EDT
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Once the immediate effects of Hurricane Katrina have subsided, Gulf Coast residents will have to deal with another plague -- scam artists wanting to take advantage of their desperation.
After four hurricanes pummeled Florida last year, many people fell victim to fraudulent contractors who walked off with their money and left their homes in even worse shape. Even legitimate contractors illegally raised their fees. One company tried to charge Orange County residents as much as $30,000 for tree removal.
Barry and Naomi Slosberg paid a roofing contractor $16,000 to fix their Punta Gorda home. But more than a year after Hurricane Charley tore through the area, the work has not been completed and the phone numbers for the roofer and his contracting company have long been out of service. Several other residents paid the same contractor.
"Going through the hurricane was bad enough. Now we're going to have to pay for two roofs," Naomi Slosberg said.
Following last year's storms, nearly 9,000 Florida residents filed complaints with the state attorney general's office of contractors walking off with their money or starting repairs to a roof that only made it more vulnerable to torrential rains.
They also complained of price gouging at gas stations, hotels, tree removal companies and other businesses. Attorney General Charlie Crist's office has started 58 investigations and recovered more than $700,000.
"Whenever you have a storm the magnitude of Katrina, you have to be watchful of someone who might want to take advantage of the situation. People always need to utilize common sense," Crist said.
Officials have warned residents of workers who charge too much or too little. Some businesses could be illegally inflating prices. Others could be charging less because they have no plans to complete the work after receiving a hefty down payment.
"I got to the point where I just didn't trust anybody," said Jon Wells of Royal Palm Beach, who was scammed out of $2,000 by a man using another contractor's name and license.
Palm Beach County Sheriff's Investigator Miguel Corzo said many residents are overwhelmed with the cost of repairs and are too quick to go with the cheapest price. But a licensed, reputable contractor often has added costs, such as workers' compensation insurance.
"Most of the time it comes down to two things: people getting desperate and people who want to save money," Corzo said.
* __
Link Here
================
Guidelines to Avoid Fraud in Wake of Storm
By The Associated Press
September 7, 2005, 3:23 AM EDT
Guidelines to avoid fraud in the wake of Hurricane Katrina:
* Do not pay cash to home repair contractors or tree removal services.
* Require home repair contractors to obtain all necessary government licenses and permits, rather than leaving that burden on the consumer.
* Work only with reputable, established businesses. Avoid so-called contractors who knock on your door offering to fix your roof or windows, often arriving in an unmarked truck or van.
* Obtain more than one estimate for the repair work and take time to check references and compare bids.
* Before signing a contract, check the payment terms and other provisions carefully. Don't pay a contractor in advance.
* Be wary of high pressure sales tactics, low prices secured with leftover materials, and post office box addresses and telephone numbers that lead to an answering service.
* Once you've chosen a contractor, make certain any verbal promises are written into the contract.
* Specify materials and completion dates. Don't make the final payment until the work is completed according to the contract.
* __
Phone numbers to report fraud and price gouging:
In Florida: 866-9-NO-SCAM or 866-966-7226.
In Alabama: 800-392-5658 or 334-242-7334
In Mississippi: 601-359-4230 or 800-281-4418.
In Louisiana: 800-488-2770.
Link Here
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