Still cleaning up from the storm? Here's how to avoid getting scammed
Ottawa-area residents still dealing with the fallout from last month’s powerful and deadly storm have a new threat to contend with: scammers.
The Better Business Bureau issued a warning Wednesday that people affected by the May 21 derecho should beware of ‘storm chasers’ and out-of-town contractors soliciting business.
“When a storm passes through a region and wreaks havoc, some people are going to try to take advantage of homeowners who have seen damage on their property,” bureau spokesperson Jessie St-Cyr told Newstalk 580 CFRA’s Ottawa at Work with Andrew Pinsent.
St-Cyr said the bureau doesn’t have any reports of attempted scams in the Ottawa area after the recent storm, but they have seen it in the past.
“Right now it might be tempting for someone who has damaged on their roof, let’s say, to hire the first contractor who knocks at the door,” she said.
That’s because with the labour shortage and supply chains, wait times for roofers and other contractors are longer than usual.
However, people should resist that urge to hire someone on the spot, she said.
The bureau says the following five things are red flags to watch out for when hiring someone to do repair work on your property:
- Contractor asks to be paid in cash only
- A contractor claims they found major damage of hard-to-reach spots, but isn’t showing you pictures of the damage
- The contractor conveys a sense of urgency
- The contractor tells you they will cover the cost of your insurance deductibles
- The company vehicle isn’t local
There are several ways victims of natural disasters can avoid being scammed by opportunistic contractors. The bureau issued the following tips:
Contact your insurance company: Ask about your policy coverage, and make sure to save all receipts.
Do your research: Find businesses you can trust through the Better Business Bureau, your insurance company or friends and relatives.
Resist high-pressure sales: You should never feel forced to make a hasty decision to choose an unknown contractor.
Be especially careful of door-to-door contractors: Many municipalities require a permit for salespeople to go door-to-door.
Don’t sign over insurance checks to contractors: Get an invoice from the contractor and pay them directly. Don’t sign any documents that give contractors rights to your insurance claims.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'The root cause': Canada outlines national action plan to fight auto theft
The federal government is launching what it calls its 'national action plan' to combat auto thefts, which will include stronger penalties for thieves, and increased information sharing between police agencies, government officials and border enforcement.
What is BORG drinking, and why is it a dangerous trend? An expert explains
If you've been to a party lately and haven't seen someone drinking a BORG, you're likely not partying with college students.
The world's best airline is paying staff a bonus of 8 months' salary
Singapore Airlines will reward its employees with a bonus worth nearly eight months of salary, a person familiar with the matter told CNN on Friday.
Prosecution rests in Donald Trump’s hush money case. The defence now gets its turn to call witnesses
Michael Cohen testified Monday that he stole tens of thousands of dollars from his ex-boss Donald Trump’s company, an admission defence lawyers hope to use to undermine Cohen’s credibility.
Red Lobster probes 'endless shrimp' losses after bankruptcy filing
U.S.-based restaurant chain Red Lobster has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in a Florida court after securing $100 million in financing commitments from its existing lenders, the company said on Sunday.
'Next man up': Canucks coach, teammates bracing for Game 7 without Brock Boeser
Questions about how the team is going to handle the absence of star winger Brock Boeser from a do-or-die game seven dominated pre-game interviews with the Vancouver Canucks coach and players Monday morning.
Katy Perry sings goodbye to 'American Idol'
Katy Perry said her goodbyes on 'American Idol' after seven seasons. On Sunday night’s live 'idol' season finale, a medley of Perry's hit songs were performed, including 'Teenage Dream,' 'Dark Horse' and 'California Gurls.'
U.S. Supreme Court rejects appeal from former Guantanamo detainee Omar Khadr
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday rejected an appeal by a Canadian-born former Guantanamo detainee who was seeking to wipe away his war crimes convictions, including for killing a U.S. soldier in Afghanistan.
Woman, 35, in critical condition after her truck collided with a Via Rail train near Montreal
A 35-year-old woman is in critical condition after the pick-up truck she was driving was struck by a Via Rail passenger train Monday morning in Quebec's Monteregie region.