As Southern Illinois continues recovering from recent storms, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul is urging homeowners and business owners to be on guard against storm-related repair scams.
Raoul warned that so-called “storm chasers” often target storm victims by pressuring them to make quick decisions about cleanup and repair work. Some scammers pose as public adjusters, offering free inspections before attempting to file insurance claims on behalf of property owners.
Officials recommend checking with local governments about permit requirements before hiring contractors and verifying that roofers and public adjusters are properly licensed.
Consumers can verify roofing licenses through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation and confirm public adjuster licenses through the Illinois Department of Insurance.
Anyone who suspects fraud is encouraged to contact the Illinois Attorney General’s Consumer Fraud Hotline at 1-800-243-0607 or file a complaint through the Attorney General’s website.