Everyone knows that hurricanes and major storms bring with them a rising tide of flood waters, torrential rains, and high winds. The damage left behind is measured in millions, if not billions, of dollars. While many well meaning people and legitimate companies move in to lend a helping hand, enough scoundrels find their way to the damage zones and prey upon vulnerable home and property owners.
Scoundrels take many forms. Looting is common in evacuated communities. Looters are opportunists who see an opportunity and take it – along with whatever they can get their hands on. Other scoundrels include unlicensed or out-of-area contractors who want to make a fast buck – often by overcharging for services, performing shoddy work, or flat out taking your money – never to be seen again.
What other types of scoundrels descending upon your disaster area? Be wary of anyone going door-to-door promising quick fixes or asking for cash up front. Legitimate contractors and public insurance agents have plenty of legitimate business and shouldn’t need to go door-to-door. It’s not uncommon for scoundrels to pose as contractors, ask for a cash advance for “materials” and then disappear with the receding flood waters. Even those contractors and agents that are properly licensed and ready to work may not be the best choice. Inflated prices and sketchy warranties are reason enough to find your own contractor through trusted sources.
While looters may be locals and other scoundrels may come in from nearby towns and states, long distance scoundrels are ready to exploit the situation – and they may be half a world away. These reach far beyond the disaster area, targeting the goodwill of charitable people wanting to help. Online scams, phishing attempts, and e-mail campaigns soliciting donations are designed with one thing in mind: lining the scoundrel’s pockets.
In the first few days following a major disaster dozens of related domain names are typically registered. Whether these web domains belong to legitimate relief agencies or contractors isn’t always apparent upon first glance. Like phishing web sites, it’s not terribly difficult to publish a professional looking Web site in a matter of hours. With savvy search engine techniques and a huge audience of people wanting to help, the Web sites operated by scoundrels are sure to turn over a quick buck or two before being discovered (if ever) by the authorities.
Offline scams in the immediate disaster area and online scams extending from all corners of the globe are more common than you may think. Whether you live in the immediate disaster area or are a concerned citizen living elsewhere, it’s important to be skeptical and consider the possibility that the person knocking on your door or the e-mail that arrived in your inbox is either a scammer or a scam.
What should you do to prevent being the scoundrel’s next victim? Remember that scammers can be personable, professional-looking, and downright charming. Phishing messages and phony Web sites are designed to look like the real thing and pull on your heart strings. Rather than allowing contractors, relief agencies, and public insurance adjusters find you, you find them – through legitimate avenues. This means asking trusted sources for referrals, using companies you’ve dealt with in the past, or doing a great deal of research before agreeing to any work, contract, or donation. This also means never paying cash up front and asking for (and calling) references. Other steps that you can take include checking with the Better Business Bureau, checking with your state’s contractor licensing or insurance licensing board, and checking with charity watchdogs to find out if the contractor, public insurance agent, or charity has any complaints on file, is properly licensed, or is a legitimate organization.
Scoundrels are everywhere but they love to descend upon areas that are ripe for exploitation such as areas devastated by flooding, hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, and earthquakes. No matter what disaster has affected you, beware of the scoundrels that are sure to emerge from the debris.
By:
Dryout® Inc.
A name you know, a team you can trust-Service Nationwide
Dryout® Inc.
1415 Colonial Blvd.
Fort Myers, Fl. 33907
Mr. Mark Decherd
http://www.dryout.net
239-437-7100
Water Damage
Dryout Inc Emergency water damage restoration, drying, deodorization, decontamination, disinfection, mold removal, water and fire damage repair services by a network of trained specialists, technicians and restoration professionals across the USA and Canada.
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