NICB Warns New Orleans Tornado Victims of Scams

By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Insurance Weekly News -- Newswire/ -- As the New Orleans area recovers from the damage caused by a string of powerful tornadoes, the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) reminds consumers that in the weeks ahead, homeowners in disaster areas should be alert to the potential for fraud by unscrupulous contractors and home repair businesses.

After a disaster, contractors often go door-to-door in affected neighborhoods offering clean up and/or construction and repair services. Most are reputable, but many are not. One common scheme is to pocket a down-payment and then never show up for the job, or never complete a job that was started. Another scheme is to use inferior materials and perform shoddy work that is not up to code in order to increase profit.

NICB has personnel in the affected areas assisting our member insurance companies and a video of the area is available HYPERLINK "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8B5CoCenhQk" nhere.

"If you didn't request it, reject it"

Almost all of these scams are unsolicited-they begin with a visit from a contractor who seeks to help victims rebuild. That is why NICB recommends that "if you didn't request it, reject it." Before hiring any contractor, call your insurance company. Your insurance company will honor its policy so there is no need to rush into an agreement with a contractor who solicits your repair work-especially when you did not request it.

Keywords for this news article include: Legal Issues, Insurance Companies, National Insurance Crime Bureau.

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