BBB has storm scam warning

TYLER – Saturday’s hailstorm may be over, but the Better Business Bureau (BBB) says another danger is rolling in behind it: opportunistic “storm chasers.”

The BBB advises residents to be cautious of storm chasers who arrive unannounced and offer to repair storm damage at a low cost. Be wary of those who require advance payment or make extravagant promises they have no intention of fulfilling.

Here are some homeowner safety tips from the BBB:

*Vet the contractor carefully: Confirm they meet state and local requirements, ensure licenses are current and check BBB.org for reputable options.

*Contact your insurance company: Confirm what your policy covers and how to file and keep all receipts for expenses like food or temporary lodging that might be reimbursed.

*Seek at least three bids: Ensure each quote uses the same criteria and remember the lowest price isn’t always the best choice.

*Resist high-pressure sales: Don’t rely on unsolicited calls or door?to?door pitches and never feel pressured into a quick decision or hiring someone you don’t know.

*Get everything in writing: Insist on written estimates, don’t start work without a signed contract and never sign anything incomplete.

*Be wary regarding places you can’t see: Don’t let someone you don’t know inspect your roof or hard?to?see areas like attics, crawl spaces or ducts, since an unethical contractor could create damage to get the job.

*Never pay for work in full in advance: A good guideline is the rule of thirds: pay one?third upfront, one?third at 50% completion and the final third when the job is done.

*Hire locally whenever possible. If a company isn’t local, they may be less likely to return for repairs if issues arise, so keep that in mind when choosing who to hire.

“Encountering high winds, thunderstorms and the occasional tornado are a part of living in East Texas,” Mechele Agbayani Mills, President & CEO of BBB East Texas, said. “That means it is important to be wary of fly-by-night repair businesses who are ready to pounce on storm victims as soon as the weather breaks.”