UNDATED (WSAU-WXPR) — A state Division of Consumer Affairs official says the recent flooding in northern Wisconsin likely will also bring out a group of con artists selling cheap repairs door-to-door.
Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection’s Division head Frank Frassetto is warning about a specific breed of con artist who will be hunting after the storms have shaken up the north.
“There are folks known as storm chasers and they look for bad weather that has impacted communities in a significant way. And what they will do, they will go door-to-door and try to gin up some business by playing on people’s emotions after there has been some property damage.”
Frassetto says the con artists pressure property owners to pay cash up front then leave without doing much of anything.
“They’ll try to get these people a deal that is way too good to be true, ask for money up front. They’re pretty aggressive in their tactics and then they end up walking away with your money and not doing any of the work.”
The consumer protection official recommends hiring local contractors based on referrals. He says get a lien waiver from anyone doing home repairs. This is smart, he says, in case the person doesn’t pay a supplier or worker and a lien is placed on your property. He says a written contract spells out exactly what is to be done.
By Ken Krall, WXPR.
