Here’s what to search for and the right way to defend your self.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The devastation and chaos of a hurricane is a primary alternative for scammers. We’re looking on the prime 5 post-Hurricane scams – and tips on the right way to keep away from them. 

No. 1: Upfront funds. While some contractors require a deposit, asking for full fee up entrance is a giant crimson flag. Make positive you could have a contract spelling out what work is to be accomplished, and on what schedule. Obtain a complete value estimate earlier than any work begins.

No. 2: Unlicensed contractors. Whether it’s roof repairs or tree elimination, you wish to be certain the particular person doing the work is licensed, insured, and bonded… The bond ensures you’ll get your a refund if the job isn’t completed. The insurance coverage covers property injury and harm claims. You can test your contractor’s license by going to MyFloridaLicense.com

No. 3: Digital Scams. These can take many varieties – together with emails or texts that look like from a authorities company like FEMA. Never click on hyperlinks in unsolicited messages. Remember: any reputable authorities web site could have a dot-gov deal with. And by no means give out private data like your Social Security quantity in response to an unsolicited textual content, name or e mail.

No. 4: Rental scams. These had been an issue even earlier than Ian. Never ship cash with out a signed contract, at all times do an web search to find out if it’s a reputable rental. Insist on touring the property in particular person. And keep in mind: if the value appears too good to be true, it most likely is.

No. 5: Price gouging. This is outlined as a worth that’s “grossly inflated” from what was being charged 30 days earlier than an emergency declaration. It applies to any important commodity, like meals and housing. You can report worth gouging by downloading the No Scam app in your smartphone, visiting MyFloridaAuthorized.com or calling 1(866) 9NO-SCAM.

Remember: Google is your buddy in relation to researching any enterprise. And by no means hesitate to ask a lawyer to evaluation a contract earlier than signing.

Also, try this rip-off warning press launch from Florida Attorney General’s Office:

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Ashley Moody is warning Floridians of worth gouging, disaster scams and fraud within the aftermath of Hurricane Ian. Thousands of Floridians have been displaced by Ian and could also be in search of meals, shelter, particles elimination or house repairs. Attorney General Moody’s Price Gouging Hotline stays activated for shoppers to report allegations of utmost worth will increase, as properly scams associated to the continued restoration efforts.

Attorney General Ashley Moody stated, “Hurricane Ian devastated Floridians, destroying homes and leaving thousands without food, water or electricity. Rebuilding will take months or longer—creating an inexhaustible demand for qualified contractors and debris removal services. Sadly, bad actors may exploit this demand to take advantage of people just trying to rebuild their lives. If anyone encounters one of these scams, or excessive price increases on essential commodities, they need to report it to our office immediately so my Rapid Response Team can stop the fraud and keep others from falling prey.”

Following a disaster like Hurricane Ian, certified contractors are normally in excessive demand and develop into booked up for months. Scammers or unqualified out-of-state staff might flood in to benefit from Floridians in want of knowledgeable service. If property is broken from the storm, observe these tips when hiring a contractor:

  • Have an insurance coverage firm consider injury earlier than arranging repairs to make sure that the work will probably be lined beneath a coverage;
  • Get not less than three written, itemized estimates on bids or repairs;
  • Watch out for unsolicited provides or contractors claiming to carry out repairs at a reduction with leftover provides from one other job;
  • Research an organization and its popularity—search for references on-line, or ask a buddy;
  • Check to see if an organization is correctly licensed, insured and if there are any shopper complaints filed in opposition to a licensed contractor at MyFloridaLicense.com or by calling the Florida Attorney General’s Office at 1(866) 9NO-SCAM;
  • Make positive a contractor is bonded and verified with a bonding company;
  • Read your complete contract, together with the wonderful print, earlier than signing to make sure it contains the required purchaser’s proper to cancel language. Understand penalties which may be imposed for cancellation;
  • Insist on releases of any liens that could possibly be positioned on the property from all subcontractors prior to creating ultimate funds. Homeowners might unknowingly have liens positioned in opposition to their properties by suppliers or subcontractors who haven’t been paid by the contractor. If the contractor fails to pay them, the liens will stay on the title;
  • Never pay the complete quantity of a restore expense upfront and hesitate earlier than offering giant deposits; and
  • Do not signal a certificates of completion or make ultimate fee till glad with the work carried out.


Many contractors might ask shoppers to finish an Assignment of Benefits that permits the home-owner who holds the insurance coverage coverage to signal over insurance coverage rights or advantages to the contractor or different third events. The contractor or third celebration can then file an insurance coverage declare, make restore choices and gather on advantages with out the home-owner’s involvement.

While AOBs can provide comfort to policyholders making an attempt to navigate the insurance coverage claims course of, unscrupulous people and corporations might search to benefit from the ability an AOB gives. If a house is broken, maintain the next in thoughts when in search of repairs:

  • Be cautious of any firm that requires an AOB with a view to do repairs;
  • Read your complete contract fastidiously to make sure that advantages will not be being signed over unknowingly; and
  • Do not signal an AOB if there are clean areas within the doc.


The Federal Emergency Management Agency provides disaster reduction to eligible victims via varied packages. When in search of support, take into account the next:

  • No state or federal disaster-relief company will name asking for private data;
  • State and federal staff carry identification and won’t ask for or settle for money;
  • Know that functions for FEMA reduction packages are free and could be accessed at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1(800) 621-FEMA; and
  • Be cautious of anybody who provides to fill out, help with or expedite an utility as they might be in search of entry to non-public data.


Water mains and private wells could be affected throughout hurricanes. Dishonest firms and people might insist upon expensive assessments to find out water security. Avoid falling sufferer by following these tips:

  • If somebody claims to be a consultant of a metropolis, county or utility supplier needing to examine a water line or properly, ask for proof of identification;
  • Check for water security alerts as supplied by native media and utility suppliers;
  • If the security of water in use appears suspicious, contact an area well being or utility division. Also search recommendation from state or native well being departments to find out what assessments must be carried out and to assist discover licensed testers close by; and
  • If unsure, boil water vigorously for one to a few minutes—or drink bottled water.


Heavy winds from hurricanes or tropical storms usually lead to littered roads and uprooted bushes. If planning to have close by bushes eliminated to guard a house, or have fallen bushes eliminated after a storm, observe these tips to keep away from being conned:

  • Watch out for anybody who approaches unsolicited about tree elimination;
  • Get a number of written estimates and ask whether or not particles elimination is included within the estimate;
  • Research an organization totally;
  • Check for proof of insurance coverage and confirm with the insurer that the coverage is present; and
  • Never pay the complete quantity up entrance and don’t make a ultimate fee till fully glad with the work.


Following a disaster, it is not uncommon to see charity scams pop up—as scammers purpose to benefit from beneficiant Floridians. Review these tips to keep away from a charity rip-off:

  • Be cautious of charities with comparable names to well-known organizations;
  • Avoid solicitors that use high-pressure ways or are hesitant to supply further data on the charitable group;
  • Consider donating to a longtime disaster-relief charity; and
  • Contact the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services at 1(800) HELP-FLA to test the legitimacy of a charity, or see if there are any complaints in opposition to the charity.


Anyone who suspects worth gouging can report it to the Florida Attorney General’s Office through the use of the No Scam app, visiting MyFloridaAuthorized.com or calling 1(866) 9NO-SCAM. Attorney General Moody’s No Scam app could be downloaded without spending a dime on Apple and Android gadgets via the app retailer by looking No Scam.

For tips on reporting worth gouging, click on right here.

For extra data on worth gouging, click on right here.

Violators of the value gouging statute are topic to civil penalties of $1,000 per violation and as much as a complete of $25,000 for a number of violations dedicated in a single 24-hour interval. In addition to the civil penalties for worth gouging, state regulation criminalizes the sale of products and providers to the general public with out possession of a enterprise tax receipt.

To obtain Attorney General Moody’s Scams at a Glance: Price Gouging brochure in English, click on right here. To obtain the Spanish model, click on right here.

For tips on what to do earlier than and after a storm strikes, obtain the 2022 Hurricane Preparedness Guide right here. For the Spanish model, click on right here.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *