As Storm Season is Underway, NICB Urges Texas Lawmakers to Help Stop Scam Artists

Tornadoes, violent windstorms and hail pummeled the Dallas area in late March, setting off warnings to consumers about scam artists and calls for statewide legislation to combat the problem. The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), working with a task force from the state Department of Insurance, the Texas Department of Public Safety, local government officials and police agencies quickly responded to the storms to warn victims of storm chasers invading the area.

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In Austin, state lawmakers are currently considering SB 10 and HB 1774 aimed at hail litigation reform and HB 3293, which would allow for a voluntary certification program for roofing companies issued by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. While those debates proceed, local officials, aware of the influx of out-of-state and unregistered contractors who showed up last year following severe storms in the area, have taken matters into their own hands for now. In cities like Rockwall, contractors began going door-to-door before the rain had ended soliciting business.

Heavily damaged areas in the city of Rockwall were cordoned off by police to keep potential scam artists from going door-to-door to solicit repair work.

One local homeowner in Rockwall said he was surprised to get knocks on the door from three different contractors in the middle of the night before the rain had stopped falling through his damaged roof. He took the advice of the police and rejected the unrequested solicitations. He worked instead with a reputable local contractor and his insurance company to make temporary repairs and begin the rebuilding process.

Within a few hours, police had cordoned off the heavily damaged areas and only allowed roofers and contractors to enter if they were invited and escorted by the homeowner.

The mayor of Rockwall, Jim Pruitt, says his community learned from the response to storms over a year ago in nearby Rowlett. He welcomed the support of the task force in spreading the word about potential scam artists before the storm, and the quick response to assist local police in the neighborhoods in the aftermath of the recent damage.

NICB and Texas Department of Insurance Fraud Investigators assisted local officials in warning residents of potential fraud scams.

The Rockwall County District Attorney, Kenda Culpepper, says statewide laws that would make it tougher on unscrupulous contractors would be beneficial to consumers. But in the meantime, anyone who criminally takes advantage of storm victims will face prosecution if they can be identified and located.

NICB suggests you consider these tips before hiring a contractor:

• Get more than one estimate
• Get everything in writing. Cost, work to be done, time schedules, guarantees, payment schedules and other expectations should be detailed
• Demand references and check them out
• Ask to see the salesperson's driver's license and write down the license number and their vehicle's license plate number
• Never sign a contract with blanks; unacceptable terms can be added later
• Never pay a contractor in full or sign a completion certificate until the work is finished and ensure reconstruction is up to current code
• Make sure you review and understand all documents sent to your insurance carrier
• Never let a contractor pressure you into hiring them
• Never let a contractor interpret the insurance policy language
• Never let a contractor discourage you from contacting your insurance company