I would like to personally thank the first responders, policemen, firemen, utility workers, county personal, city personal and everyone else that helped during, and is continuing to help us in this time of need. You are the unsung heroes. My deepest gratitude goes out to you.
Hurricane Matthew has brought recent devastation in our area and has reminded us of how fragile things can be. Throughout the storms I saw people coming together to help one another. For this I am thankful and proud to be an American. Unfortunately, it has also brought out the greed and selfishness of others. I despise those that deliberately take advantage of others that have been through so much destruction and are enduring pain, suffering and financial hardships. It is because of these people that I want to bring to your attention some scams that are already happening in our area.
The most popular scams involve unlicensed, unethical home repair services and imitation charities. Both will take your hard earned money. The following are ways to help you avoid these scams. However, use your best judgement and remember “If it seems too good to be true it probably is.”
There are a lot of good people in our community and I know that if we work together we can help one another from being deceived from these unscrupulous people.
Repair Scams
If your home has been damaged, there’s a pretty good chance you’ll be approached by someone claiming to be a contractor; that doesn’t mean they are one or that they will actually do the work you pay them for. For your protection it’s better to avoid complete strangers. You’re better off to ask friends, family or neighbors. You can also contact local trade organizations, the phone directory or search online. Make sure to check out references and perhaps the Better Business Bureau. Click here for the link to the BBB. Keep in mind that contractors, electricians and plumbers are licensed by the state.
FEMA doesn’t endorse contractors. If a contractor claims to be endorsed or certified by FEMA, they are not telling the truth. If they lie about this, what else are they lying about?
Ask to see their license and insurance information. You’ll want to know that they have insurance so that you’re not liable if they get injured on your property. It can also protect you if they cause more damage such as setting up a ladder that accidently goes through a window.
You’ll want to get estimates from several contractors. Compare the estimates but don’t assume the lowest bid is the right one. One contractor might be cutting corners.
Make sure to get it in writing. Get everything in writing before any work commences. We all know that a verbal agreement won’t help you so take the time to have the job scope written. This would include things such as start date, end date, materials, budget, what would happen if you’re not satisfied with their work, what happens if the job takes too long etc.
No honest contractor will demand full payment up front. However, a scammer will take the money and run if they get it all up front so make sure you don’t make a full payment up front. Agree to a payment schedule that provides the remainder of a balance to be paid upon completion. An additional way to protect yourself from a scam is to be able to use a credit or debit card instead of cash. By using a card you’ll have more protection.
Charity Scams
Charity scams take a toll on honest people that believe they are helping others. What you might not know is that there is a plethora of charity scammers that pop up after a disaster like we’ve just encountered that want to take your money. These types of scams can be carried out online, in an email, on a phone or even in person. Because there’s so many ways for the scammers to reach you I thought it best to direct you to the Federal Trade Commission website. You can click the link to take you to a wealth of information that can protect yourself and loved ones. Consumer Information For Charities. The following information can be found on the FTC website. They suggest:
Don’t be shy about asking who wants your money. If you’re solicited for a donation, ask if the caller is a paid fundraiser, who they work for, and the percentage of your donation that will go to the charity and to the fundraiser. If you don’t get a clear answer — or if you don’t like the answer you get — consider donating to a different organization.
Call the charity. Find out if the organization is aware of the solicitation and has authorized the use of its name. If not, you may be dealing with a scam artist.
Ask for written information about the charity. This includes its full name, address, and telephone number.
Contact the office that regulates charitable organizations and charitable solicitations in your state, The National Association of State Charity Officials has contact information for regulators in each state available on its website. Your state office also can verify how much of your donation goes to the charity, and how much goes to fundraising and management expenses.
You also can check out charities with the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance and GuideStar.
Trust your gut and check your records. Callers may try to trick you by thanking you for a pledge you didn’t make. If you don’t remember making the donation or don’t have a record of your pledge, resist the pressure to give.
Be wary of charities that spring up overnight. This is especially true after natural disasters. They may make a compelling case for your money, but as a practical matter, they probably don’t have the infrastructure to get your donation to the affected area or people.
Watch out for similar sounding names. Some phony charities use names that closely resemble those of respected, legitimate organizations. If you notice a small difference from the name of the charity you intend to deal with, call the organization you know to check it out.
Be wary of charities eager to collect cash. If they say they are sending a courier or offering overnight delivery service to collect your donation immediately, you have to wonder whether the charity is legitimate.
Know the difference between “tax exempt” and “tax deductible.” Tax exempt means the organization doesn’t have to pay taxes. Tax deductible means you can deduct your contribution on your federal income tax return.
Do not send or give cash donations. Cash can be lost or stolen. For security and tax record purposes, it’s best to pay by credit card. If you’re thinking about giving online, look for indicators that the site is secure, like a lock icon on the browser’s status bar or a URL that begins “https:” (the “s” stands for “secure”)
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