BBB warns Oklahomans about contractor scams after storm damage

As Oklahoma enters peak storm season, the Better Business Bureau is warning homeowners to stay alert for contractor scams that could cost thousands after storm damage.

When severe weather hits, damaged homes can leave people desperate for repairs, and scammers are ready to take advantage.

Amie Mitchell with the Better Business Bureau said one of the first things homeowners should do after a storm is contact their insurance provider.

“So the first thing is going to be if you have storm damage to start with your insurance company, see what your policy is, see how much you're covered, know everything in that contract so that when you have to file a claim, you know what you're going to get back,” Mitchell said. “Do you have a deductible? Are certain contractors a no-go?”

She said once homeowners understand their policy, the next step is researching any contractors using trusted resources like BBB.org.

“Use BBB.org and make sure that you know that the contractor is ethical and if they've had complaints, they've answered them,” she said. “Also, make sure they're approved by your insurance company.”

Mitchell said scammers often rely on high-pressure sales tactics to push homeowners into fast decisions.

“They're going to want you to sign a contract. They may want a large fee up front as a deposit,” she said. “You really want to also make sure that the contractor is local, if you can. Check that license plate.”

Out-of-state contractors, she warned, can disappear after the job is done, leaving homeowners without warranty protection.

“If you can pick someone local that fits your schedule, your insurance and all the fun things, that's what we would recommend,” she said.

One of the biggest red flags to watch for? A contractor asking for a large payment up front.

“If they're asking for a very large deposit, more than a third, then you can kind of keep that as a warning sign and say, I may want to look at somebody else and see how much deposit I have to put with them,” Mitchell said.

Another tip: Do not sign over your insurance claim check to the contractor.

“Once your insurance pays out that claim, do not sign over that check to the business,” Mitchell said. “You want to deposit that check and then pay your contractor.”

She added that many scammers prey on storm victims because they know emotions are running high.

“When your home's a mess, you know, after damage, you just want it to get back to normal. And they're counting on that,” Mitchell said. “Scammers are counting on you feeling pressured and just wanting things back to normal and promising you the sun, moon, and stars and that they can fix it and fix it fast.”

To check a contractor’s record, Mitchell said it’s simple.

“You can go to BBB.org. You can search by industry or specific company name, and then our website will show you if the company's had complaints, their rating, if they are licensed in their industry — all of the fun things that you would need to know before hiring a contractor,” she said.