Beware of contractor scams following Joplin EF-1 tornado
JOPLIN, Mo. — Cleanup efforts continue for folks affected by recent storms. And while it can bring out the good in people, say, volunteers, it can also bring crooks.
“The night of the tornado was total chaos,” said John Perry, a Joplin resident.
John Perry is among those affected by Monday night’s EF-1 tornado that impacted parts of Joplin and Duquesne. And while he still is without power, he’s making sure to check anything off his cleanup list he can.
“I’ve called a couple of contractors. We got a couple of contractors that I’ve talked to. You know, we haven’t exactly decided which contractor we’re going to go with at this point,” said Perry.
The Better Business Bureau recommends taking extra precautions before hiring a contractor for repair work.
“After a natural disaster like a tornado, it’s so important to stay calm and be proactive in contacting your insurance company and in searching and hiring a contractor instead of being reactive to sales calls and door-to-door pitches with too good to be true offers and prices and timelines for repairs,” said Pamela Hernandez, BBB Springfield Regional Director.
Pamela Hernandez says it’s also a red flag if someone, claiming to be a contractor, wants payment up front or only paid in cash, and it wouldn’t be a bad idea to require documentation.
“In Joplin, for example, many types of businesses, if they’re going to go door to door, they have to have that solicitor’s license. So they have to be vetted by the city. Police, doing some sort of background check. So asking for that license as well as a business license, insurance, and ID to show who they work for,” said Hernandez.
And it’s best to try and find someone who is local—or, at least, someone you know or have heard about.
“Looking at their reviews and you know, and how many years they’ve been in business and, you know, and are they local? You know, it’s good to have local contractors come in. You know, it’s hard to go with outside contractors because you don’t know them,” said Perry.
