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Beware Sandy scams

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    Avoid 'storm chasers' while doing repairs

  • Duration 4:36
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-- thousands of homes damaged throughout the Tri-State area hurt -- hurricane sandy.

Those families will spend this week focused on rebuilding their lives.

But with every storm comes it's fair shares of -- -- how do you know which contractors to trust traders right now is the famous yeah.

Next she is the founder of injuries less and find on the Internet you can call as well into -- morning to you.

And see if I was talking to my friend yesterday who has it gigantic gusts only five foot tree on the side of his house and yesterday.

A couple of guys with chain -- came up knocked on his -- that -- we will take that down.

For 2000 dollars which is about double the price there are spammers out there and there are people who are trying to make some money when people are desperate.

Yeah unfortunately you want to be very careful in this time because.

There are people out there -- try to take advantage of -- who we want you to be a Smart consumer.

And do all your homework even though it's a serious situation we need to be careful.

And make sure that we make the right choices and don't feel rushed exactly right all right let's tell folks what to do first of all do a visual inspection what's that mean.

That's -- go out.

Check there check your property check your car take photos this is going to be great information to hand over -- insurance agent.

So that we can get the problem resolved but it's great to go ahead and assessed the damage.

And -- pictures speak a thousand words and then contact your insurance agent that's the first call you want to make and make sure you understand your policy.

So you're getting what you deserve all right.

That of course the guy that you want to Entrust with the work.

The contractor you should probably check him out sometimes you could just ask and Avery ever work but this guy but how do you get past that.

That's right you -- investigate the company make sure that got a good reputation as a local company.

And it they're licensed and insured especially you're talking about roof work and tree work you do not want someone works tenure property who doesn't have insurance.

Because any injury or or damage it's done from the contractor they're not -- it goes against your homeowner's insurance.

Absolutely and then also get it in writing and good but what if for instance a -- says OK I'll be here next I'll be here tomorrow.

But he can't get gas because gas is a really tight right now or you can't find his employees who can do the job and what -- you do.

That's what you what you what things in writing you wanna know if that you have a termination clause so there are able to show up in time you can go get someone else.

-- taking a few extra minutes to make sure you get things document it is gonna save you a lot of headaches.

The road all right let's talk a little bit about what to avoid avoid strangers offering major repair work for cash up front.

-- come -- nobody -- for that you'll ever see that guy again.

Unfortunately.

Unfortunately people do having a story that year -- friend had I mean that's not that unusual situations like this so do not.

You know it's fall victim to -- when it comes stored -- his -- -- isn't it the job for.

You know cash out right there they might say hey I've done work for your neighbor.

Don't feel pressured to make a decision on the spot but do your -- more mature and I would imagine that's much like -- other tip avoid caving into pressure or scare tactics.

What kind of scare tactics like.

Look I might not be back you better get me while I'm right here.

That's right you -- you want to make sure react you know pay you not vilify anyone to do this that -- looks really dangerous right.

You you want someone to excessive for you properly.

And don't win be sure you read what you're citing I've heard stories -- people of signed documents where it said.

You know hey I'll let you have the right to talk to my insurance but actually the forms that if the insurance agree if I get the work so be careful about what you sign as well and of course you say avoid settling in on the first guy the first contractor who comes along and knocks on your -- That's right you know if you have the opportunity always encouraged hit three estimates that what you know whether there's someone is charging you too much for the job.

You know that's hard to do right now but it's important to be sure that you're making the right decision -- of course I've -- your ads on the radio I know that injuries -- is a place there that you go where you actually pre screened a lot of these guys.

That's right and find out to people in your area have used -- in happy where there aren't very good in G hits during his today from Indianapolis where I can see behind to the lights are on.

-- -- thank you very much.

Thank you.

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