DENVER (Legal Newsline) - Colorado Attorney General John Suthers warned consumers Tuesday about scam artists seeking to capitalize on the devastation caused by the wildfires in Colorado.
Scams related to the wildfires could include fake charity collections and construction and home repair fraud. Some consumers could also experience issues with their mortgage lender or insurance company. Suthers warned consumers not to be exploited by scams or deceptive practices and to report any suspicious activity to his office.
"We need people to report scams that prey on their good intentions so we can stop these practices." Suthers said.
Following natural disasters, some scam artists pose as door-to-door contractors. The scammers may pressure consumers into signing up for limited time offers on home repairs.
"People should be skeptical of anyone who shows up at their doorstep offering discounted home repairs and never enter into contracts based on a door-to-door sales pitch," Suthers said. "If a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is."
Other scams include insurance fraud and mortgage fraud. Some unscrupulous lenders may pressure homeowners into consolidating debt or refinancing existing loans with high processing fees.
"Predatory lenders strong arm people into refinancing at terms and rates they can't afford," Suthers said. "People need to ensure they are not borrowing more money than they can repay."
Colorado AG warns consumers affected by wildfires about scam artists
