Storm Damage Could Also Damage Your Wallet
 |
Did you know complaints against home-remodeling companies that defraud their customers are among the top 10 received by our state's Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division? Since Jan 1, 2012, there have been over 2,000 complaints; more than 330 just this year!
Recently, the Attorney General took action against 16 such companies around the state, many of which are known as "storm chasers" that follow the destruction made by severe storms throughout our state and hope to collect on initial payments from those who are affected by damages caused by disastrous weather, but fail to finish their repairs on Missourians' homes and businesses. The actions taken by the Attorney General affect at least 80 Missouri homeowners who lost nearly $360,000 to these fraud contractors. However, non of these homeowners were residents of Jackson County.
If you find yourself in the situation where your home or business is affected by storm damage, please do your homework on contracting companies before you hire them for various repair services. Check references before signing a contract or providing any partial payment—you should NEVER pay in full before the work on your home or business is completed. The Better Business Bureau (www.bbb.org) is a valuable resource to use when checking on complaints against contractors.
Consumers who have complaints against "storm chasers" or other home-repair companies should formally file with the Missouri Attorney General's Office by calling (800) 392-8222 or go online: www.ago.mo.gov.
|
