Post-Winter Storm Scams: What to Watch Out For in North Texas

Common Post-Winter Storm Scams

• ⚠️ Winter storm scammers, often posing as "stormchasers," go door-to-door looking for damage to exploit.
• 🎯 They promise the world but often demand money in advance, frequently disappearing or failing to complete the job.
• 🏠 These scammers target neighborhoods with known damage, preying on homeowners facing repair needs for issues like fallen trees or plumbing problems.

Tactics Used by Scammers

• 🚪 Scammers "case" neighborhoods, knowing where damage paths are, and may falsely claim to represent legitimate, busy companies.
• 🚨 They impersonate trusted authorities, such as utility workers claiming to need access to backyards, which can lead to dangerous situations.
• 📱 Scammers are also active on social media, using flyers, and impersonating city or utility representatives.

Red Flags and How to Protect Yourself

• 🚩 Be wary of unsolicited offers; if you didn't reach out to them directly, treat it with caution.
• 💰 A major red flag is a demand for a large sum of money upfront or the entire payment before work begins.
• 🤝 Reputable contractors typically follow a payment structure like the "rule of thirds" (deposit, material delivery, completion) and provide a contract with no blank spaces.

Avoiding High-Pressure Tactics

• ⏳ Scammers use high-pressure tactics and create false urgency, especially concerning issues like burst pipes, to push quick, bad decisions.
• 📈 They may also engage in price gouging, claiming limited-time offers or increased material costs.
• 🛡️ It's crucial to play defense, do your homework, and know that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Verifying and Reporting Scams

• 🏡 Verify any contractor by reaching out to your trusted circle of friends and family for referrals and their contact information.
• 🔍 Always check the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website for a business's profile, grade, and customer feedback, paying attention to how they respond to complaints.
• 📝 Report scams to the BBB and authorities, even if it's a near miss, as this information helps build a case and prevent others from falling victim.