Make sure you don’t fall for scammers’ schemes

Spring has arrived. Spring brings us longer days and warmer temperatures. It also has the tendency to spawn thunderstorms, tornadoes and eventually tropical storms and hurricanes.

Severe weather events increase the chances that we’ll have to deal with damage to our property. Experience has taught us that when this happens, scammers will swarm in to take advantage of your misfortune.

If your property is damaged by extreme weather, I encourage you to be on guard. Don’t let scammers take advantage of you.

Often scammers will try to get you to take advantage of a deal that seems too good to be true. If that happens, I hope you’ll use caution, investigate your options and do a bit of research before making a deal with someone who may be preying on your misfortune.

Here are some red flags and guidelines that can help you deal with contractors:

• Watch out for contractors who go door-to-door. If a contractor comes knocking right after a disaster, proceed with caution. Pressure tactics and too-good-to-be-true offers should raise red flags.
• Call your insurance agent or insurance company before you start repairs. You always have the right to select your own contractor, but if you plan to file an insurance claim, make sure your insurance company can review the damage before the work begins.
• Trust but verify. Work only with licensed and insured contractors. Ask to see their license and request a certificate of insurance.
• Don’t settle for the first offer. Get more than one estimate. Don’t be pushed into signing a contract right away.
• Get everything in writing. The cost and the type of work to be done, time schedule, guarantees, payment schedule and other expectations should be detailed.
• Require references. Check them out. 
• Go digital. Use a search engine, such as Google, Bing or Yahoo, to research any recommendations for or complaints against the contractor.
• Ask to see the salesperson’s driver’s license. Write down the license number. Also take down his or her license plate number.
• Never sign a contract with blanks. Fraudulent contractors may enter unacceptable terms later. That could end up costing you more money or changes in work that you did not want.
• Never pay a contractor in full or sign a completion certificate until the work is completed.

If you have any questions, the Department of Insurance is here to help. Our Consumer Services Division can assist you with your insurance questions. You may call our toll-free line at 855-408-1212 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. You may also find useful information, including information on how to file a complaint, at www.ncdoi.gov.