Scammers may strike after storms leave homes damaged

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A storm Friday left many homes and cars with hail damage in Columbia.

Contractors both local and from out of town often come to areas hit by severe weather to try and sell their services to homeowners whose property is damaged.

These are one of the many times scammers are prone to strike. The Better Business Bureau has previously offered tips on how to protect yourself from possible scammers.

Much of the time, the tactic is door-to-door sales, offering free estimates and inspections of property, according to the BBB.

In east Columbia, yard signs and contractors can be seen milling through the neighborhood looking to provide their services to new clients.

"If we help them figure out there is damage and they choose to use somebody else, so be it," Dusty Falcon, a sales consultant for Apple Roofing, said. "At least they get taken care of and onto the next one."

Falcon spent his afternoon giving people free estimates on damage from the storm and offering them his services.

He said it's important for people who are talking with contractors to do their homework on the company before deciding to do business.

Scammers may ask resident to give half the payment upfront and another half when the work is "done."

"Do your homework, check people out," Falcon said. "We're all part of the Better Business Bureau, check reviews, don't get scammed because there's a lot of guys out there that this is what they thrive upon."

The Better Business Bureau has a list on its website of businesses.

"It's a place for customers to leave reviews, to make complaints things of that nature," Nick Knoth, BBB regional director, said. "That happens whether or not a business is accredited. Those are two separate things."

Regardless if a business is BBB-accredited or not, the BBB tries to have it on its website. The accreditation is meant to provide a standard of trust and service that the businesses are operating at, which is set by the BBB.