Mayfield, KY. (December 15, 2021) – The Kentucky State Police has received information from the National Insurance Crime Bureau to help those impacted by the tornado ensure they are utilizing legitimate contractors for cleanup and repair. In the rebuilding process, should homeowners suspect fraud, they should contact their insurer, local law enforcement and the NICB at 1-800-TEL-NICB.
Some tips on avoiding contactor fraud provided by the National Insurance Crime Bureau include:
- Get more than one estimate. Never let a contractor pressure you into hiring them.
- Work only with licensed and insured contractors.
- Demand references and check them.
- Ask to see the salesperson’s driver’s license, write down the license number and their vehicle’s license plate number.
- Get a contract in writing. This should include cost, time schedules, payment schedules, guarantees, work to be done, and other expectations that should be detailed.
- Never sign a contract with blanks as these could be filled in later without your knowledge.
- Never pay a contractor in full or sign a completion certificate until the work is done and ensure reconstruction is up to current code.
Additionally, here are some useful links to other materials helpful for victims:
Disaster Fraud | National Insurance Crime Bureau (nicb.org)