Michigan Attorney General Shares Essential Tips to Prevent Storm-Related Scams

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has issued a crucial reminder for residents to remain vigilant against post-storm scams following a severe winter storm that dumped over two feet of snow across the state. To help you avoid falling victim to these scams, consider the following essential steps:

• Talk to your insurance agent or company.
  Carefully review your homeowner’s and auto insurance policies to understand what damages are covered and the amount of your deductible. Contact your insurance agent or company, jotting down any questions and the answers you receive, along with a record of whom you spoke to and when. Knowing your coverage will help you budget for repairs and prioritize them based on safety and necessity.
• Do your homework.
  Before hiring a home repair contractor, ensure they are licensed, insured, and well-regarded by your community. Check their complaint history, if available, to ensure you feel comfortable with your choice.
• Get everything in writing, never pay in cash, and never pay in full upfront.
  Ensure all promises, quotes, and expectations are documented in a contract that you review thoroughly before signing. Using a credit card for repairs is advisable, as it offers additional protection to dispute charges if the work is not completed. Avoid paying for the entire repair upfront; instead, arrange to pay a portion initially and the remainder once the work meets your satisfaction.

“Dealing with the aftermath of a winter storm can feel overwhelming,” Nessel stated. “Taking a moment to slow down, ask questions, and do your research before making any decisions can help protect you from scams.”

Scammers have become increasingly sophisticated, even creating authentic-looking 800 numbers that appear on caller ID. If you receive a call from someone claiming to represent a utility company, follow these steps to verify their authenticity:

• Ask for an estimated restoration time.
  Legitimate utility companies can provide an estimated time for service restoration. If the caller gives you an estimate, verify it against your utility company’s outage map online.
• If they leave a message, don’t call back.
  Instead of returning the call to the number left in the message, find the utility company’s contact information on your latest bill and call them directly to confirm whether they reached out to you.
• Don’t provide payment information over the phone.
  Remember, when service is disrupted, it is the utility company’s responsibility to restore it, and they should never ask for additional payment from customers.

Topics
Windstorm
Michigan

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has issued a crucial reminder for residents to remain vigilant against post-storm scams following a severe winter storm that dumped over two feet of snow across the state. To help you avoid falling victim to these scams, consider the following essential steps:

• Talk to your insurance agent or company.
  Carefully review your homeowner’s and auto insurance policies to understand what damages are covered and the amount of your deductible. Contact your insurance agent or company, jotting down any questions and the answers you receive, along with a record of whom you spoke to and when. Knowing your coverage will help you budget for repairs and prioritize them based on safety and necessity.
• Do your homework.
  Before hiring a home repair contractor, ensure they are licensed, insured, and well-regarded by your community. Check their complaint history, if available, to ensure you feel comfortable with your choice.
• Get everything in writing, never pay in cash, and never pay in full upfront.
  Ensure all promises, quotes, and expectations are documented in a contract that you review thoroughly before signing. Using a credit card for repairs is advisable, as it offers additional protection to dispute charges if the work is not completed. Avoid paying for the entire repair upfront; instead, arrange to pay a portion initially and the remainder once the work meets your satisfaction.

“Dealing with the aftermath of a winter storm can feel overwhelming,” Nessel stated. “Taking a moment to slow down, ask questions, and do your research before making any decisions can help protect you from scams.”

Scammers have become increasingly sophisticated, even creating authentic-looking 800 numbers that appear on caller ID. If you receive a call from someone claiming to represent a utility company, follow these steps to verify their authenticity:

• Ask for an estimated restoration time.
  Legitimate utility companies can provide an estimated time for service restoration. If the caller gives you an estimate, verify it against your utility company’s outage map online.
• If they leave a message, don’t call back.
  Instead of returning the call to the number left in the message, find the utility company’s contact information on your latest bill and call them directly to confirm whether they reached out to you.
• Don’t provide payment information over the phone.
  Remember, when service is disrupted, it is the utility company’s responsibility to restore it, and they should never ask for additional payment from customers.

Topics
Windstorm
Michigan