TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Ashley Moody is warning Floridians to be cautious of price gouging, disaster scams, and fraud in the aftermath of Hurricane Debby. The hurricane affected millions of Floridians, bringing catastrophic storm surge along Florida’s west coast while making landfall in the Big Bend region early Monday morning. Many residents may now be seeking food, shelter, debris removal, or home repairs. Attorney General Moody’s Price Gouging Hotline remains activated for consumers to report allegations of extreme price increases and scams related to recovery efforts.
Attorney General Ashley Moody stated, “As the recovery process for Hurricane Debby begins, it is important to remain vigilant for scams and price gouging. Bad actors may try to take advantage of Floridians recovering from the storm with disaster-related scams such as contractor fraud and debris-removal scams. Floridians, please make sure all services are legitimate—research companies, verify licenses and review our Scams at a Glance: After the Storm brochure that provides additional tips and resources.”
Following a disaster like Hurricane Debby, qualified contractors are usually in high demand and become booked up for months. Scammers or unqualified out-of-state workers may flood in to take advantage of those needing legitimate service. If property is damaged from the storm, follow these tips when hiring a contractor:
- Have an insurance company evaluate damage before arranging repairs to ensure coverage under a policy.
- Get at least three written itemized estimates on bids or repairs.
- Watch out for unsolicited offers or contractors claiming to perform repairs at a discount with leftover supplies from another job.
- Research a company’s reputation by looking for references online or asking friends.
- Check if a company is properly licensed and insured; verify any consumer complaints filed against them at MyFloridaLicense.com.
- Ensure a contractor is bonded and verified with a bonding agency.
- Read the entire contract before signing; understand penalties that may be imposed for cancellation.
- Insist on releases of any liens that could be placed on the property from all subcontractors prior to making final payments.
- Never pay the full amount upfront; hesitate before providing large deposits.
- Do not sign a certificate of completion or make final payment until satisfied with the work performed.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) offers disaster relief through various programs. Scammers may pose as FEMA officials to prey on vulnerable individuals after a storm. When seeking aid:
- No state or federal disaster-relief agency will call asking for personal information.
- State and federal workers carry identification and will not ask for or accept cash.
- Applications for FEMA relief programs are free; access them at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1(800) 621-FEMA.
- Be wary of anyone offering to fill out or expedite an application as they may seek access to personal information.
Water mains and personal wells can be affected during hurricanes. Dishonest companies might insist upon pricey tests to determine water safety. Avoid falling victim by following these tips:
- Ask for proof of identification if someone claims to represent city, county, or utility providers needing inspection.
- Check local media and utility providers’ alerts about water safety.
- Contact local health departments if uncertain about water safety; seek advice on necessary tests from certified testers nearby.
- Boil water vigorously for one to three minutes if in doubt—or drink bottled water.
Heavy winds often result in littered roads and uprooted trees after hurricanes or tropical storms. If planning tree removals after a storm:
- Watch out for unsolicited approaches regarding tree removal services.
- Get multiple written estimates including debris removal costs within quotes provided
- Research thoroughly into companies being considered
- Verify proof-of-insurance & confirm current policy status directly through insurers
- Avoid paying full amounts upfront & delay final payments until completely satisfied
After disasters occur it’s common seeing charity-related fraudulent schemes emerge targeting well-intentioned donors willing-to-assist recovery initiatives Review these tips avoiding falling-for-such-charity-scams:
- Beware fake charities mimicking names similar-to-established organizations
- Avoid high-pressure solicitation tactics unwillingness-providing further details concerning charitable entity represented
- Consider donations towards established-disaster-relief-organizations
- Confirm accreditation-status-charity using Better Business Bureau BBB Wise Giving Alliance search website Give.org additionally research organizational-giving-history CharityNavigator.org
Anyone suspecting price gouging related-to-storm-essential-items should report incidents via Florida Attorney General Office using No Scam app visiting MyFloridaLegal.com alternatively contacting 1(866)9NO-SCAM Free downloadable No Scam app available both Apple Android devices searchable through respective app stores
For more information on price gouging click here Violators breaching price-gouging statutes subject civil penalties $1000 per violation cumulative maximum total reaching $25000 covering multiple infractions occurring single 24-hour period alongside other applicable penalties potentially imposed
Downloadable links provide Attorney-General-Moody's Scams-at-a-glance Price-Gouging Brochure available both English Spanish formats
Further resources detailed pre/post-storm preparedness guidelines accessible within downloadable guidebook versions English Spanish respectively For supplementary insights addressing scam-prevention post-recovery efforts viewable resources located within After-the-Storm section accessible both languages accordingly
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The Florida Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division issues Consumer Alerts informing residents regarding emerging-scams novel-fraudulent-methods increasing-common-scam-reports highlighting deceptive-practices Designed notifying public potential-scam-refunds thereby preventing financial losses mitigating harm inflicted-through-deceptive-tactics Encountered scam-reportable incidents contactable via hotline listed above visit MyFloridaLegal.com Recent alerts additional avoidance strategies similarly accessible site
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