FLORIDA – As Floridians scramble to make repairs to their property after Hurricane Irma swept through the state, officials are warning them to remain vigilant so they don't get duped by fraudulent contractors and other common scams.
State Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a statement Monday saying that her office started receiving reports of robberies and looting even as the storm was still making its way across the Sunshine State.
Recommended Videos
“My office and law enforcement continue to work tirelessly to protect Floridians, but citizens can help by taking steps to avoid being victimized,” Bondi said.
Below is a list of tips from Bondi's office that could help keep Floridians safe.
Building Repair and Contractors:
• Watch out for unsolicited offers or contractors claiming they can perform repairs at a discount with leftover supplies from another job.
• Have your insurance company evaluate damage before arranging repairs to ensure that the work will be covered under your policy.
• Get at least three written, itemized estimates or bids on repairs.
• Verify a contractor has a license with local and state licensing boards.
• Additionally, ensure the contractor is licensed for the job. Check to see if a company is properly licensed and if there are any consumer complaints filed against a licensed contractor at MyFloridaLicense.com, the Department of Professional Business Regulation’s website.
• Research the company and its reputation – ask for references.
• Contact the Florida Attorney General’s Office at 1-866-9NO-SCAM to see if there are complaints against a company or contractor.
• Check for proof of insurance and verify with the insurer that their policy is current.
• Check to see if the contractor is bonded and verify with the bonding agency.
• Never pay the full amount of a repair up front and hesitate before providing large deposits.
• Read the entire contract, including the fine print, before signing to ensure it includes the required buyer’s right to cancel language. Understand cancellation rights and penalties you may experience for cancelling.
• Homeowners may unknowingly have liens placed against their properties by suppliers or subcontractors who have not been paid by the contractor. If the contractor fails to pay them, the liens will remain on the title. Insist on releases of any liens that could be placed on the property from all subcontractors prior to making final payments.
• Do not sign a certificate of completion or make final payment until you are satisfied with the work performed.
Tree Service Scams
• Watch out for anyone who approaches unsolicited about tree removal.
• Get multiple written estimates and ask whether debris removal is included in the estimate.
• Research the company and its reputation – ask for references. Contact the Florida Attorney General’s Office at 1-866-9NO-SCAM to check if there are complaints against the company.
• Check for proof of insurance and verify with the insurer that their policy is current.
• Never pay the full amount up front and do not make a final payment until you are completely satisfied with the work done.
Charity Scams
• Avoid solicitors that use high-pressure tactics or are hesitant to provide additional information on the charitable organization.
• Be wary of charities with similar sounding names. Some phony charities may attempt to capitalize on disasters by using names similar to legitimate, well-known charities.
• Consider donating to an established disaster-relief charity.
• Contact the Florida Attorney General’s Office or the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services 1-800-HELP-FLA, the agency that regulates charities, to determine if the charity you are donating to has any complaints against them.
Water Testing and Treatment Scams:
• If someone claims to be a representative of your city, county or utility provider needing to inspect your water line or well, ask for proof of identification.
• Check for water safety alerts as provided by local media and utility providers.
• If you doubt the safety of your water, contact your local health department or utility. Local water utilities are required to test water quality on a regular basis.
• If you doubt the safety of your well water, seek advice from your state or local health department to determine what tests should be performed and find certified testers in your area.
• If in doubt, boil water vigorously for one to three minutes or drink bottled water.
The Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency also released a series of tips to avoid disaster fraud.
• Federal and state workers do not ask for, or accept, money. FEMA staff will never charge applicants for disaster assistance, home inspections or help filling out applications. Stay alert for false promises to speed up the insurance, disaster assistance or building permit process.
• In person, always ask to see any FEMA employee ID badges. FEMA disaster survivor assistance teams may be in impacted communities providing information and assisting survivors with the registration process or their applicant files.
• A FEMA shirt or jacket is not proof of identity. All FEMA representatives, including contracted inspectors, will have a laminated photo ID. All National Flood Insurance Program adjusters will have an NFIP authorized adjuster card with their name and the types of claims they may adjust.
• If you are unsure or uncomfortable with anyone you encounter claiming to be an emergency management official, do not give out personal information, and contact local law enforcement.
• If you suspect fraud, contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud’s hotline at 1-866-720-5721, or email the organization at disaster@leo.gov. You can also report fraud to the Federal Trade Commission at www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov.
• In Florida, disaster-related fraud information is available on the state Attorney General’s Office website at www.MyFloridaLegal.com, or by calling the office at 1-866-966-7226.
Florida Power & Light chief communications officer Rob Gould reminded Floridians that FPL employees are always in marked vehicles and will never request to get inside your home. If someone posing as a power employee asks to come inside your home, tell them "no" and dial 911 immediately.