Don’t be tempted by offers that sound too good to be true, because they probably are.
KERR COUNTY, Texas — FEMA has a warning for folks who’ve been impacted by flooding due to the storms in Central Texas.
Officials want you to be on the alert to people who are offering cleanup and repair services. Don’t be tempted by offers that sound too good to be true, because they probably are.
FEMA also wants to remind you that they don’t license or certify contractors. The organization recommends using a local contractor, or someone who is well-known in the community. They say that out-of-town scam artists might be the first to arrive at your front door after a flood, but they might not be trustworthy.
Protect yourself from fraud by following these simple steps:
- Plan your project. Take time to check out your project because it might require a specially licensed contractor to do the work
- Get two or three written estimates. By getting multiple estimates, you can compare costs for labor and materials, timetable of payments, timeline for completion, and more. There is more to an estimate than simply the bottom-line cost.
- Verify the contractor’s license and insurance. You should only hire contractors who are licensed, registered and have insurance so any potential accidents on your property are covered.
- Don’t make a down payment or a final payment until the job is complete. Beware of contractors who ask for large payments up front to purchase materials. Before you make the final payment, make sure you are satisfied with the completed work. Remember, if you didn’t request it, reject it.
- Do your research to find out if a potential contractor is licensed to work in Texas. The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation licenses contractors and the Texas State Contractors Board can look up and verify a contractor’s license. Call them at (512) 463-6599.
- Under Texas law, after a natural disaster or emergency, consumers are protected from salespeople who flock to devastated neighborhoods and may not have honest intentions. They are not allowed to require payment before beginning work – or even after work has begun – if their fee is not proportionate to the work performed. For more information, visit texasattorneygeneral.gov/consumer-protection/disaster-and-emergency-scams/disaster-scams.
- You may also report suspicious activity to your local police department or the FEMA Disaster Fraud Hotline at (866) 223-0814. You can also report contractor fraud to the Texas Attorney General – Consumer Protection Division or www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/consumer-protection. Another reporting option is the Heart of Texas Better Business Bureau at (844) 477-1099.
For the latest information about the Texas recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4879. Follow FEMA Region 6 on social media at x.com/FEMARegion6 and at facebook.com/FEMARegion6/.