Summertime could also be a time of rest and holidays for many, however sadly fraudulent contractors don’t take the summer season months off. As a substitute, these scammers make the most of the truth that individuals are out of their typical routines in the course of the season, and use these distractions to con owners in quite a lot of inventive and harmful methods.

On this article, we uncover the 2 commonest types of summertime scams, and supply some ideas for safeguarding your self from these fraudsters.

The Most Widespread Contractor Scams in Summer time

Contractor / House Restore Scams

Contractor fraud can occur at any time, however owners needs to be particularly cautious in the course of the summer season months. For vital parts of our nation, summer season is storm season and any storm might probably harm your house or enterprise. Pure disasters like tornados, hurricanes, flooding and wildfires could carry out the very best in individuals. Nonetheless, sadly, some people prey on those that are adversely affected by these disasters.

Study Extra: Who Is Most at Threat for Contractor Fraud?

It is very important be cautious of “Storm Chasers,” or out-of-town contractors who come into areas affected by a pure catastrophe or giant storm to solicit enterprise. Though not all of those out-of-town contractors are scammers, some definitely are.

Preserve in Thoughts: Roofing scams are the most typical kind of contractor fraud in the summertime.

These contractors could provide fast fixes that don’t actually restore the damages to your house. They could additionally make huge guarantees they can’t ship, leaving you within the lurch. One other hazard is that the contractors might also lack correct licensing in your space.

Find out how to Keep away from Scammers When Hiring a Contractor:

1. Get a number of estimates.
2. Get every part in writing.
3. Contact your insurance coverage firm. Ask about your coverage protection and particular submitting necessities.
4. In case you are displaced, save all receipts, together with these for meals, non permanent lodging and different bills that could be lined beneath your coverage.
5. Do your analysis on the contractor you’re contemplating hiring. Examine with the Higher Enterprise Bureau for complaints earlier than you rent a contractor.
6. Resist high-pressure gross sales. Be cautious of telephone or door-to-door gross sales pitches from unknown contractors.
7. Request and procure a written contract earlier than work begins.
8. Learn all paperwork a contractor asks you to signal. Be cautious of signing over any rights you’ve in your insurance coverage declare to a contractor.
9. Watch out in permitting contractors you have no idea to examine your roof or another space of your house you can not see like attics, crawl areas and ducts. Though most contractors abide by the regulation, some don’t. An unethical contractor could create harm to get work.

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Automotive Restore Scams and Fraud

In any given summer season, thousands and thousands of individuals will probably be driving on the highway for summer season trip. With so many on the highway, it’s only pure that many people will find yourself having their automobile break down or be concerned in an accident.

Extra deadly crashes occur in summer season than another time of 12 months. If this occurs to you, watch out when getting your car repaired so that you don’t find yourself getting scammed.

Widespread automobile restore schemes embrace the store utilizing unsafe elements, inflated restore payments and pointless repairs. To keep away from these automobile restore fraud pitfalls it is best to do the next:

Find out how to Keep away from Scammers When Getting Your Automotive Repaired:

1. Ask for a written estimate earlier than you authorize repairs.
2. Ask if repairs are assured.
3. Examine the store’s historical past with the Higher Enterprise Bureau.
4. Get a number of estimates from totally different outlets.
5. Search for a automobile restore store with licensed auto mechanics.
6. Keep away from outlets that use high-pressure gross sales ways or refuse to reply your questions.

Did You Know: Attributable to a pointy enhance in car fatalities involving teen drivers between Memorial Day and Labor Day, this time of 12 months is known as the “100 Deadliest Days.” Learn to shield you and your loved ones throughout this stretch of time—and all year long—by getting in contact together with your insurance coverage agent right this moment.

Summer time needs to be a time to chill out and benefit from the sunshine. By being conscious and cautious, you’ll be able to keep away from scams and fraud that break your enjoyable within the solar.

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