Be Aware and Be Prepared: BBB Offers Guidance Through Hurricane Earl

As Hurricane Earl continues to roar across the East Coast, BBB urges consumers to pay attention to evacuation notices, take necessary safety precautions and plan ahead to avoid potential scams in the wake of storm damage.

After a Natural Disaster
Once a natural disaster has occurred, getting your life back to normal can take days, weeks or even months. Not only must you cope with the direct effects of the event, but - because you are often at your most vulnerable - you need to protect yourself from those who would prey on your misfortune.

The damage caused by natural disasters such as fires, floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, and blizzards can often bring out the best in people, as strangers reach out to help others in need. Unfortunately, the aftermath of a crisis also brings out others who take advantage of those who have already been victimized. Some of the most common “after-disaster” scams involve home repairs, clean-up efforts and heating and cooling equipment.

Your Better Business Bureau has the following advice:
• Be wary of door-to-door workers who claim your home is unsafe. If you are concerned about possible structural damage in your home, have an engineer, architect, or building official inspect it.

• Prepare a written agreement with anyone you hire. It should delineate the work to be done, the materials to be used, and the price breakdown for both labor and materials. Review it carefully before signing. Never pay for all repairs in advance, and don’t pay cash.

• Always shop around for major repairs, and always get a Business Review from your BBB. If you have a problem with a business’s work, report it immediately to your Better Business Bureau, by telephone or through our website boston.bbb.org.

Post Disaster Scams
BBB warns consumers to be aware of post disaster scams, and to protect themselves and their loved ones from people who may try to take advantage of their situation.

"After natural disasters strike, we hear numerous reports of folks being victimized again, not by Mother Nature, but rather at the hands of unscrupulous people who see this as a money-making opportunity," said Paula Fleming, BBB Spokesperson. “Some of the most common post-disaster scams involve home repairs, clean-up efforts, heating and cooling equipment and flood-damaged cars.”

BBB is urging consumers to check businesses out before signing contracts for repair work. Consumers can check out a business at BBB report at bbb.org. Charity scams normally surface immediately after any disaster. Donors can use BBB's Wise Giving Alliance web site to see whether a charity meets BBB standards.

For more information visit bbb.org/naturaldisaster