Better Business Bureau Warns of Storm Chasers
(LOUISVILLE, KY) –The recent damage done by floods in Greater Louisville and Southern Indiana brings
out the best in people, as strangers reach out to help others in need. Unfortunately, the aftermath of a crisis
also brings out contractors who take advantage of those who have already been victimized.
As a follow up, your local Better Business Bureau is warning local residents affected by the recent flooding to
beware of storm chasers and out-of-town contractors soliciting business.
“It is not uncommon for out-of-town storm chasers to solicit business after disasters like the recent flooding,”
said Reanna Smith-Hamblin, President/CEO of BBB serving Louisville, Southern Indiana, and Western
Kentucky. “Storm chasers may not have proper licensure and may offer quick fixes or make big promises to
which they won’t deliver.”
Your BBB offers the following tips for flood victims:
• Know your rights and responsibilities provided by the state Attorney General. Kentucky residents can
contact the Kentucky Attorney General’s office at ag.ky.gov or call 502.696.5300. Indiana residents can
contact the Indiana Attorney General’s office at in.gov/attorneygeneral or 317.232.6201.
• Businesses must be licensed. Contact the Revenue Commission at 502.574.4860 to check out a
company’s licensure.
• Many municipalities require a solicitation permit if sales people go door-to-door. Verify that they need
to have a permit by contacting your local Township or Municipality or call Permits & Licensing at
502.574.3321
• While most roofing contractors abide by the law, be careful allowing someone you do not know to
inspect your roof. An unethical contractor may actually create damage to get work.
• Try to get at least 3-4 quotes from contractors, and insist that payments be made to the company, not
an individual.
• Do not pay for the job in advance. Be wary of any contractor who demands full or half payment
upfront.
• Resist high-pressure sales tactics, such as the “good deal” you’ll get only if you hire the contractor on
the spot.
• Get a written contract that specifies the price, the work to be done, the amount of liability insurance
coverage maintained by the contractor, and a time frame. Require a copy of their current certificate of
insurance.
• For general questions or complaints related to insurance, contact your state’s Department of
Insurance. Kentucky residents can visit insurance.ky.gov or call 502.564.3630. Indiana residents can
visit in.gov/idoi or call 1.800.622.4461.
• Pay by credit card, if possible; you may have additional protection if there’s a problem.
• If you suspect a company may be price gouging necessary goods or services due to this disaster, report
the business to BBB and the Attorney General’s office.
• Beware of FEMA imposters. In the past, scammers impersonate FEMA to try to scam consumers.
Remember that FEMA does not charge for inspections and they always wear ID badges. If you are still
unsure, check with FEMA first at fema.gov
or call 202.646.2500.
• If you are looking to donate to a charity, be sure to check out the charity first at give.org and other
charity evaluators like Charity Navigator or Guidestar.
BBB is warning area contractors to beware of storm chasers who are willing to pay local construction
companies substantial amounts of money to use a local business’s established name, reputation and phone so
they can masquerade as a local business.
We have seen this happen in other areas of the country. After doing repairs paid by insurance companies, the
out-of-state contractors left the area. Many contractors who agreed to let these storm chasers use their name
regret their decision once they were left holding the bag of unsatisfied customers due to bad workmanship
and/or unfulfilled warranties.
Disaster victims should never feel forced to make a hasty decision or to choose an unknown contractor. Start
With Trust. For reliable information, lists of BBB Accredited Businesses by industry and BBB Business Profiles
you can trust on local businesses, visit bbb.org
or call 1.800.388.2222.