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
'No sign of life' at crash site of helicopter carrying Iran's president
Rescuers on Monday found a helicopter that was carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, which had crashed in the mountainous northwest reaches of Iran the day before.
Court eases internet restrictions for Sask. man who matched with a 15-year-old girl on Tinder
A Saskatchewan man who had a sexual encounter with a 15-year-old girl he met on Tinder successfully appealed to shorten release conditions barring him from online dating.
Stittsville residents seeking answers as bylaw cracks down on street basketball nets
Stittsville residents on Kearnsley Way are seeking answers after an unusual bylaw crackdown on Friday. Every home with a basketball net received a ticket instructing homeowners to remove their nets from the road.
'A horrible way to start the summer': 3 killed in serious boat crash on lake north of Kingston, Ont.
Three people were killed and five others were injured Saturday night following a boat crash on the Buck Bay area of Bobs Lake, north of Kingston, Ont., the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) said.
What do we know so far about the mysterious crash of the helicopter carrying Iran's president?
The apparent crash of a helicopter carrying Iran's president and foreign minister on Sunday sent shock waves around the region.
Ex-partner charged with first-degree murder after 55-year-old woman killed in Montreal
Less than 24 hours after Montreal's 12th homicide investigation began, Montreal police confirmed that a 55-year-old woman's death in St. Michel is the island's 13th homicide. The woman's ex-spouse has been charged with first-degree murder.
Walmart, Costco refusing to sign grocery code of conduct 'untenable': industry minister
Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne says it's 'untenable' for 'smaller players' like Walmart and Costco to delay signing on to the government- and industry-led grocery code of conduct, now that industry giant Loblaw has agreed to do so.
VIDEO Born without front legs, this dog has been inspiring the world for 3 years: Dresden farm owner
A sanctuary dedicated to animals with disabilities is celebrating the third birthday of one of its most popular residents.
Toxic drugs circulating in northeastern Ont., police say
Canada’s largest First Nations police service, the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service issued a community safety alert as extremely toxic drugs are likely circulating in many of the communities it serves.