Scammers Cover Ground Just As Fast As The Hail Does
HIGHLANDS RANCH, Colo. (CBS4) - Scam artists are moving into areas that saw damaging hail on Monday and some of them are trying to swindle people even before they talk to their insurance agents.
The Indigo Hills neighborhood in Highlands Ranch got hit hard by the hail. When it happens contractors show up before homeowners even call their insurance companies and there are some things to know before signing a contract.
"The beautiful garden my wife planted is gone," Indigo Hills resident Jon Morgan said.
Morgan showed CBS4's Jennifer Brice the damage left behind. There was everything from shredded patio covers, ripped up window screens, to divots on his roof because of large pieces of hail.
"It sounded like a war. It started off just 'ting, ting, ting.' I went and moved my car inside and just the bottom fell out. It was 45 minutes of nonstop," Morgan said.
Carole Walker with the Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association says it's just the first round to the start of severe weather season. She says homeowners need to know what their insurance policy covers. She also says record-breaking hailstorms in Colorado have also brought in plenty of scammers.
"You need to be very cautious of someone just knocking on your door asking to go up on your roof," Walker said. "It may not even be an outright scam, but it might be a high-pressure sales technique."
Walker has seen homeowners think they're signing paperwork for a roofer to just inspect damages, but they get locked into a work contract.
"So make sure that first call really is to your insurance company and your coordinating with that reputable contractor," Walker said.
Don't rush to do the work because of high pressure sales and get multiple bids. Use a bonded and insured company with a good Better Business Bureau rating as well as customer referrals.
LINK: Better Business Bureau