There’s an unfortunate reality for victims trying to pick up the pieces after a deadly storm: scammers moving in as a massive storm moves out.
Officials in Florida are urging residents to be on guard against financial predators in the wake of deadly Hurricane Milton.
“Many areas in the county have incurred severe property damage because of back-to-back impacts from Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton,” Pinellas County Consumer Protection said in a public advisory Thursday, warning residents “to be cautious when hiring someone to make repairs.”
“Watch out for ‘fly-by-night’ contractors who take deposits and do little or no work,” the advisory stated. “Avoid dealing with anyone soliciting work door-to-door; take the opportunity to check them out first.”
Authorities also cautioned residents to be wary of contractors who ask for advance payment for services or insist that extensive repairs require no permit. They recommended dealing only with licensed and insured contractors.
Officials also had a warning for people seeking to help those impacted by the devastating storms: do your research.
“Do not judge an organization based solely on its name,” the Pinellas County advisory said. “Many organizations have names that sound like those of reputable organizations but may be fraudulent.
Florida consumer protection teams recommended prospective donors “ask for a copy of the charity’s financial report to determine how much of your contribution is going toward the cause and how much goes to administrative and fundraising costs.”