As Residents Assess Damage, Be On Lookout For 'Storm Chasers': AG

NAPERVILLE, IL — After an EF-3 tornado ripped through parts of Naperville, Woodridge and Darien, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul warned Illinois residents whose homes suffered damage to be alert for scammers who may try to exploit those in need of repairs.

Often called "storm chasers," some scammers are quick to visit areas of large damage in an attempt to pressure home or business owners into making quick and often expensive decisions about cleanup and construction work. Scam artists may also pose as public adjusters who offer "free" inspections only to submit a high claim to an owner's insurance company, Raoul said.

"We have too often seen scammers take advantage of the devastation caused by tornados or other natural disasters and use it as an opportunity to line their own pockets," Raoul said in a news release. "People should be wary of any individual who solicits home repair or insurance adjusting services door-to-door."

RELATED: Illinois Tornado Recovery: Info On Food, Shelter, Other Resources

When something seems off, officials recommend checking a town's license or permit database to ensure their roofer, public adjuster or contractor are legitimate. The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation keeps a list of licensed roofing contractors in Illinois.

Under the Illinois Home Repair and Remodeling Act, a contractor is required to provide customers with written contracts for any repair work costing over $1,000. Scammers will not present a contract signed by both parties and often won't carry insurance to protect themselves against property damage, bodily injury or improper home repair. An information pamphlet entitled "Home Repair: Know Your Rights" is helpful for people as they begin to assess the damage.

Some tips and practices to look out for when signing a contractor:

• Be wary of contractors who go door to door offering repair services or "free" inspections.
• Ask for recommendations from people you know and trust, and, whenever possible, use established local contractors.
• Visit the Better Business Bureau's central Illinois, St. Louis or Chicago websites to see if a business is a member and whether any complaints have been lodged against it.
• Get written estimates from multiple contractors, and don't be rushed into a deal.
• Get all the terms of a contract in writing, and obtain a copy of the signed contract.
• Never make full payment until all the work has been completed to your satisfaction.
• Never pay in cash.
• In the case of disaster repair, if your insurance carrier denies coverage, you have the right to cancel the contract within five days of your insurance carrier's denial.
• If you submit a claim to your insurance company, your insurance company will likely provide an adjuster to review your claim at no additional cost to you.
• If you contract with a public adjuster, pay particular attention to the amount of fees being charged and whether you are obligated to use a specific contractor for repairs.
• Visit IDFPR's website to search for roofing licenses. Visit the DOI’s website or call 866-445-5364 to verify that a public adjuster is licensed and in good standing.

Local law enforcement agencies have access to these databases and can take reports of any suspicious activity. The Consumer Fraud hotline (1-800-386-5438 in Chicago, 1-800-243-0618 in Springfield, and 1-800-243-0607 in Carbondale) is always available.