CHARLESTON — West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey's office is urging residents faced with damage following the line of storms that brought strong winds and heavy rain in certain parts of the state to be cautious when hiring a contractor to make repairs.
“Strong winds and heavy rain caused varying degrees of damage in some parts of West Virginia,” Morrisey said in a press release. “Consumers will begin surveying damage as the storms subside. However, so will scammers who often prey upon those already facing hardship. Consumers must cautiously research any contractor they consider hiring.”
The AG's office says scam artists often will canvas neighborhoods and offer to repair damaged property with deals that seem too good to be true. At times, they will imply they are working on nearby homes or suggest they are with a bank or insurance company.
All too often, the money is paid without completion of the work.
Many times scammers fail to provide contact information such as a contractor’s license, business card or other identification, and they use high-pressure sales tactics to force immediate purchases.
The AG's office is asking residents to take their time, research options and be very careful before hiring anyone to do work. Here are a few suggested tips:
- Evaluate the size and scope of the project.
- Get written estimates from multiple companies.
- Research companies that repair storm damage.
- Ask for references to verify the contractor’s prior work.
- Look for reviews of the company on trusted websites.
- Check to see if the contractor has a valid license by contacting the West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board at 304-558-7890.
Anyone with questions or a potential storm-related home repair scam is asked to call the Consumer Protection Division at 800-368-8808 or the Eastern Panhandle Consumer Protection Office at 304-267-0239. To file a report online, visit www.wvago.gov.
