Opportunistic Disaster Repair Fraud
Phony contractors come in droves to areas devastated by a disaster. When people are suffering and need immediate home repairs so they can live at home again, it is easy for a disreputable person to take advantage. The problem is that they always require money upfront. As a crime of opportunity, many of these conmen take the money and never return.
When people are suffering from the destruction of a tornado, fires or floods, it is easy to see how desperation can increase the demand for quick action. If you have water dripping into your home because a tree fell through the roof, it is far too tempting to want to throw money at the problem as soon as possible to make it go away. The prospect of calling different contractors and references may seem overwhelming when seniors are stressed out and trying to survive a true disaster.
With so much money at stake in most cases, it is crucial to follow through and get references and referrals. Handing anyone you don’t know a check is never a good idea under any circumstances. Far too many people have horror stories to share about how they were ripped off by a contractor who showed up on their doorstep. Unfortunately, this type of scam is very common in disaster areas. Fraudsters rely on the fact that seniors feel desperate and are willing to trust a person with a nice smile and big promises.
