Officials warn of scams in wake of tornado damage

GRIFFIN — While the best of the community has been shown during its response to the extensive damage caused by Thursday's tornado, there are also those who see this as an opportunity to prey on the vulnerable, local and state officials warn.

Spalding County Sheriff Darrell Dix said his office has been informed by Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John King that there possibly may be a scam involving alleged construction workers coming into the community from Texas and Kentucky.

"Predatory scammers will be out and about," Dix said. "Now would be a good opportunity to help support local businesses and folks you know."

According to the Better Business Bureau, "Storm victims should never feel pressured to make a hasty decision or choose an unknown contractor. Make temporary repairs, if necessary, so you can take the time to choose a trustworthy contractor."

The Better Business Bureau has provided tips for recovering safely and effectively from a damaging storm or tornado such as Thursday's severe weather in the area:

Assess the damage

Contact your insurance company immediately. Inquire about policy coverage and specific filing requirements.Document the damage to your property and any autos. Take pictures and, if possible, video evidence.Only make permanent repairs once you get approval from your insurance company. Your insurer might only fully reimburse you for permanent repairs made with their authorization. Make minor repairs that will limit further damage to the home. Save all your receipts if you must make temporary repairs.

Hire a contractor

Be on the lookout for price gouging. Report instances to your local BBB and Attorney General Chris Carr's office.Get references. Get referrals from friends and relatives and check BBB.org for ratings and reviews on contractors in the area.Do your research. Local and national companies may do a fine job with your storm damage repair needs, but if you choose to do business with someone who is not local, be sure to understand who will be taking care of any service needs that may arise after the completion of the project.Learn about storm chasers. Storm chasers are businesses that follow storms hoping for a quick buck. Carefully research anyone who offers you unsolicited assistance.Contact your insurance company. Ask about your policy coverage and specific filing requirements. Save all receipts for food, temporary lodging or other expenses that may be covered under your policy. Your insurance company may also have recommended contractors.Resist high-pressure sales. Some storm chasers use tactics such as the "good deal" you'll get only if you hire the contractor on the spot. Be proactive in selecting a contractor and not reactive to sales calls on the phone or door-to-door pitches. Disaster victims should never feel forced to make a hasty decision or choose an unknown contractor.Be especially careful of door-to-door contractors. Many municipalities require a solicitation permit if sales people go door-to-door. Ask for identification. Check their vehicle for a business name, phone number and license plates for your state or province.Don't sign over insurance checks to contractors. Get an invoice from the contractor and pay them directly (preferably with a credit card, which offers additional fraud protection over other forms of payment). Don't sign any documents that give the contractor any rights to your insurance claims. If you have questions, contact your insurance company or agent.Be wary regarding places you can't see. While most contractors abide by the law, be careful allowing someone you do not know to inspect your roof and other areas of your house. An unethical contractor may actually create damage to get work. The same goes for attics, crawl spaces, ducts and other places you cannot easily access or see for yourself.Ask about preventive features and installations. Check with your contractor about adding tornado-resistant features to help protect against future damage during the repair process.

Know what you sign

Read and understand anything you are asked to sign. Avoid signing an "estimate" or "authorization" form before you hire a particular contractor.Get a written contract agreement with anyone you hire. It should specify the work, the materials used and the price breakdown for both labor and materials.Any promises made orally should be written into the contract, including warranties on materials or labor.Make sure you know the terms and conditions if you choose to cancel a contract.Understand the terms and conditions and get copies of any warranties and guarantees.A contractor should be responsible for obtaining all necessary permits, not you.

Review contracts, deposits, and payments

Make sure the contract is specific. Be sure the contract specifies the schedule for releasing payments to the contractor. Ask for a start and end date for the work to be done.Never pay in full in advance. Do not pay with cash.Don't make a final payment or sign a completion agreement until all work is done to your satisfaction.