Attorney General’s Office to Help Resource Missourians Affected by Tornadoes

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo., March 9 -- Missouri Attorney General Josh D. Hawley issued the following news:

Attorney General Josh Hawley's Consumer Protection Section will be in Oak Grove this weekend to answer questions and provide information along with disaster-related assistance. Representatives from the Attorney General's Office will provide guidance on selecting reputable contractors, avoiding price gouging, protecting personal information from identity fraud, and other scams seen after natural disasters.

"Approximately 483 homes sustained some type of damage in these storms, along with several commercial buildings," said Hawley. "Unfortunately, during times such as these, unscrupulous individuals will try to take advantage of people at their most vulnerable. My office will provide anyone who needs help with information to avoid these scams and get the quality assistance they need."

Hawley said his office will be watching for individuals who attempt to take advantage of those whose homes and businesses were affected by the tornado. He said one of the biggest scams the office typically sees following disasters is fly-by-night "storm chasers" who go door-to-door offering cleanup work. These scammers often insist on upfront payment, only to take the money and then disappear without doing the work.

Information provided at the resource centers will give consumers valuable tips to avoid these scams, including considering how long the company has been in business, asking for insurance and licensing information, and checking with the Better Business Bureau and the Attorney General's Office about a contractor before agreeing to have the work done.

The Multi-Agency Resource Center will take place at 400 SE 14th Street, Oak Grove, MO 64075 on: Friday, March 10, 2017, from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, March 11, 2017, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

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