Attorney General's disaster repair tips

Most contractors and tree removal companies in North Carolina are good business people, and many local merchants pitch in to help their community recover from a disaster. However, some scammers travel to areas that have been hit by storms and other disasters to take advantage of consumers.

Follow these tips to avoid trouble with home repair after a disaster:

• Be safe. Do not attempt to move downed power lines. Call your utility company immediately for assistance.
   
• Contact your insurance company. Some insurance companies require an adjuster’s approval before repairs can begin. Take photos and videos, if possible, of the damage. Cover holes in your roof or walls with a tarp if you can do so safely to prevent additional damage.
   
• Do not pay for work up front. Inspect the work and make sure you are satisfied before you pay. A reasonable down payment might be required for some projects, but do not pay anything without getting a written contract. Avoid paying with cash; use a check or a credit card instead.
   
• Beware of any contractor who tries to rush you or who comes to your home offering assistance. If an offer is only good now or never, find someone else to do the work. Ask friends, neighbors, co-workers and other people you know for recommendations.
   
• Get three written estimates for the work, if possible, and compare bids. Check credentials and contact the Attorney General’s Office and the Better Business Bureau to learn about any complaints against the contractor. Before work starts, get a written contract detailing all the work to be done, costs and a completion date.
   
• For car repairs, shop around and compare written estimates. On major jobs, get a second opinion. If the mechanic recommends replacing parts, ask for the old parts. You may receive credit on some parts if the mechanic wants to keep them.
   
• Watch out for price gouging. The Attorney General’s Office can put a stop to price gouging and seek refunds for consumers who paid too much. The courts may also impose civil penalties against price gougers of up to $5,000 for each violation.
   
• Beware of charity scams that might use recent storms to make their phony pleas for donations sound more plausible. If a caller refuses to answer your questions about the charity, offers to come to pick up a donation in person or asks for a credit card, bank account or Social Security number, it might be a scam.
  
  To report telemarketing fraud, call the Attorney General’s Office by calling toll-free 877-5-NO-SCAM. To check up on a charity, call the Secretary of State’s Office toll-free at 888-830¬4989.