WCSO: AG Nessel reminds residents to watch out for scams following severe storms

From Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has re-issued alerts to help consumers know their rights, including how to avoid scams. 

Whatever the type of disaster, affected homeowners want to repair the damage right away to get back to a sense of normalcy. Unfortunately, that rush to repair one’s home often leads otherwise careful consumers to make decisions they would not normally make.

To avoid falling victim to a scam, take the following steps:

• Breathe! Take some time to absorb what has happened, and don’t make any rash decisions before doing your homework. This is especially true if you are approached by anyone telling you they can fix your home right away — but only if you accept their “help” right now. Legitimate home repair contractors understand you need time to do your homework and check them out before you pay them anything or sign any contracts.  
• Talk to your homeowner’s insurance agent or company. Carefully review your homeowner’s insurance policy to determine what damage may be covered and the amount of your deductible. Then be sure to contact your homeowner’s insurance agent or company, writing down questions you have and the answers that you are provided, along with a list of whom you talked to and when. Knowing what your insurance will cover will help you to determine how much you are able to spend on repairs and prioritize repairs based on safety and need.  
• Do your homework. Do your homework before hiring a home repair contractor by following the tips found in the remainder of this Consumer Alert. Some of our tips include ensuring that the home repair contractor you’ve decided to hire is licensed, insured, well-regarded by your friends and neighbors, and you are comfortable with their complaint history (if one exists).  
• Get everything in writing, never pay in cash, and never pay in full up front. Ensure that all promises, quotes, and expectations are put in writing in a contract that you will carefully review before signing. Paying for a home repair using a credit card is recommended, because using credit cards provide you with added protection to dispute a charge if the repair is not completed. Finally, you should never pay for an entire home repair up front! To ensure that all work is completed in accordance with the contract terms and your expectations, arrange to pay for only part of the work up front and pay for the rest of the work once it is complete to your satisfaction. 

To file a complaint with the Attorney General, or get additional information, write to: Consumer Protection Team, P.O. Box 30213, Lansing, MI 48909; or call/fax: (517) 335-7599, fax: (517) 241-3771, or (877) 765-8388 (toll free); or use the online complaint form located at https://secure.ag.state.mi.us/complaints/consumer.aspx.

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by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and founder of the Manchester Mirror.