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AG Carr, Commissioner King warn of potential fraud following recent tornadoes

By AccessWDUN Staff
Posted 8:57PM on Monday 27th March 2023 ( 1 year ago )
Attorney General Chris Carr and Insurance Commissioner John King are urging Georgians to be on the lookout for home repair fraud, insurance scams and other schemes following the recent tornadoes and severe storms that moved throughout the state.
 
In a press release, Carr said con artists will try to take advantage of those impacted by a weather-related disaster or individuals looking to donate to their neighbors in need. 
 
“We want to remind all Georgians of the important steps they can take to protect themselves from home repair fraud and other schemes. We know this is a difficult time for many, and our office stands ready to assist any consumer who thinks they have encountered a potential scam,” Carr said.
 
King said criminals know potential victims are vulnerable after a natural disaster.  He advises Georgians to never pay upfront for services, to use trusted providers and to speak to their insurance company before signing any contacts for the repair done to their home.
 
“My office is here to assist any consumers who are having issues with a claim or are not receiving a timely response from their insurance company,” King said.
 
Storm Fraud
 
Bad storms or tornadoes can cause widespread damage to homes and criminals may try to exploit the disaster. These scam artists, often referred to as “storm chasers,” may ask homeowners for up-front payments for home repair service and then disappear without ever doing the work. In other cases, scammers may charge exorbitant prices for tree removal, charge you for unnecessary repairs or do substandard work. Sometimes scammers offer to cover the homeowner’s insurance deductible and persuade them to give fake reports to the insurance company, potentially implicating the homeowner in a case of insurance fraud.
 
Tips to help avoid home repair fraud and insurance scams:
 
Charity Fraud
 
Fraudulent charities tend to pop up quickly following a tragedy or natural disaster.
 
It is fairly easy for a scammer to set up a realistic-looking website, copy a logo, or create a name that sounds very close to that of a well-known charity. Consumers should also be careful when responding to ads or posts they see on social media or crowdfunding sites, as these are not always legitimate – even if they have been shared or liked by your friends. It is very important to take your time to review an organization thoroughly before you donate your money.
 
Below are tips to help Georgians avoid charity fraud:
 
Price Gouging
 
On Sunday Governor Brian Kemp declared a State of Emergency in Georgia due to the severe storm system and tornadoes that moved throughout the state. This Executive Order invokes the Price Gouging Statute as it pertains to goods and services necessary to respond to the State of Emergency, including motor and diesel fuel. These price gouging protections will remain in effect until 11:59 p.m. on April 3.
 
Additional information about price gouging can be found here.
 
Reporting Contacts and Resources
 
If you encounter home repair fraud or suspected price gouging, contact the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division by calling 404-651-8600 or file a complaint online at consumer.ga.gov.
 
Report suspicious charitable solicitations to the Georgia Secretary of State’s Charities Division by calling (470) 312-2640 or visit their website here.
 
If you believe a roofer or other contractor has committed insurance fraud, file a report with the Insurance Commissioner’s Office at oci.georgia.gov/report-suspected-fraud or call (404) 656-2070 or 1-(800)-656-2298.
 
If you have trouble making contact with or receiving a timely response from your insurance company or if you have questions about your insurance policy, call 1-(800)-656-2298 or visit oci.georgia.gov.
 
For helpful tips on how to stay weather-aware, visit the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency’s website at https://gema.georgia.gov/plan-prepare/alerts-and-warnings.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2023/3/1175470/ag-carr-commissioner-king-warn-of-potential-fraud-following-recent-tornadoes

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