Few people have funds to spare after falling victim to a natural disaster.

Many of these individuals, however, are targeted by fraudulent contractors who overestimate the extent of damage – or create new damage – in order to increase their profit, according to a recent report by the National Insurance Crime Bureau. The report offered advice for individuals hoping to protect against these schemes.

Receiving more than one estimate of the repairs’ costs can help ensure that they are accurate, while asking for and verifying contractors’ references may enable consumers to identity any opportunists. It’s also important to wait until work is completed before paying in full or signing a completion certificate, according to the report.

Contractors should not try to interpret insurance policy language or discourage consumers from contacting their home insurance provider.

“Get everything in writing,” the report said. “Cost, work to be done, time schedules, guarantees, payment schedules and other expectations should be detailed.”

Individuals who think they have fallen victim to or been offered a fraudulent property damage estimate may take action by contacting NICB’s hotline at 1-800-TEL-NICB (1-800-835-6422) or texting the word “FRAUD” to TIP411.

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