Missouri Attorney General Advises Storm Victims

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April 8, 2008 -- Jackson, MS - Missouri Attorney General Jim Hood warns residents that the damage caused by the recent storms is likely to result in an increase in home repair fraud in central Mississippi.

“We have investigators riding around in storm damaged neighborhoods handing out example home repair contracts and making photographs of license plates and company information off home repair vehicles in the area,” said Attorney General Jim Hood. “We observed five out-of- state tree pruning vehicles at one hotel last night.”

Missouri ice storm damage: Photo by Carol Von Canon (CC)

While General Hood recognizes most contractors are honest business people, he emphasizes that the scams perpetrated on suffering homeowners could have a devastating effect. In order to protect against home repair fraud, Attorney General Hood has the following tips:

• always get more than one estimate
• request references and talk with those references
• use Mississippi contractors if you can
• get all terms in a detailed written contract
• Be wary of supposed contractors who come to your home soliciting business. Especially with wide-spread storm damage, most reputable contractors will be busy and won’t need to solicit business.

Click here to read our home repair guidelines which has helpful prevention tips as well as a model contract for home repair. If you suspect home repair fraud, please contact the Office of the Attorney General, Consumer Protection Division at 601-359-4230.

Source: Missouri Attorney General