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PHOTOS by RENEE ANTONELLI VALENTE (No-reuse without hyperlink)
“It is an ugly truth that every disaster attracts its share of con artists and frauds, from fake charities to dishonest home improvement contractors,” said Thomas R. Calcagni, Acting Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs.
He urged people to “use caution and obtain important information before hiring a home improvement contractor.”
Calcagni also put “unscrupulous contractors” on notice that his investigators “will come after them if they attempt to cheat homeowners who are already in a difficult situation.”
The inspectors are making the rounds of emergency shelters, police stations, municipal buildings and other locations, meeting with residents.
They’re distributing an packet, “Tips for Flood Victims: How to Avoid Disaster-Related Scams,” in English and Spanish.
For a copy in English: CLICK HERE
For a copy in Spanish: CLICK HERE
Tips:
* Ask to see identification before you let anyone who claims to be from a utility company inspect your home.
* Never give your credit card number or financial information to strangers over the phone or Internet.
* Contact the Division of Consumer Affairs before hiring a home improvement contractor. Find out whether the contractor is registered and if there are any complaints against the contractor or his or her company. Obtain the contractor’s registration number (it begins “13VH”). Call Consumer Affairs at 973-504-6420 or use our database of registered contractors at: NJConsumerAffairs.gov
* After confirming that a contractor is registered, demand a copy of his or her liability insurance policy. Call the insurance company to learn whether the policy is still current.
* It is customary not to pay for an entire home improvement project in advance. Pay one-third beforehand, one-third halfway through, and one-third upon completion.
* If the contractor offers to do electrical or plubming work, learn whether he or she is properly licensed by calling 973-504-6410. Or go to either: NJConsumerAffairs.gov/electric Or: NJConsumerAffairs.gov/plumber
* Under the Consumer Fraud Act, it is unlawful during a State of Emergency or within 30 days of the termination of a State of Emergency to charge excessive prices – or 10 percent more than the original price – for any goods and services needed to sustain the life, health, safety, or comfort of individuals or their property as a direct result of an emergency.
For those who receive solicitations from charities, the Division of Consumer Affairs encourages residents to:
* Give to charities you know and trust. Never give to a charity you know nothing about. Ask for literature and read it. Ask questions. Honest charities encourage you to do so.
* Don’t be fooled by a convincing name. A dishonest charity will often have an impressive name or one that closely resembles the name of a respected, legitimate organization.
* Don’t succumb to pressure. Don’t let yourself be pressured into giving, and don’t feel you have to contribute on the spot. No legitimate organization will expect you to contribute immediately, even if you have given in the past.
* Ask if the charity uses a professional fundraiser and, if so, what percentage of your contribution will actually go toward relief efforts and how much will be used to pay the fundraiser.
* Beware of unsolicited and phony email notices that claim to be from a charity asking for your credit card information. This scam is called “phishing” and could be used by thieves to commit identity theft. If the charity is unfamiliar to you, check whether the group is registered with Consumer Affairs’ Charities Section. If the organization is registered or you know the organization, call the group directly to find out if the email notice is valid.
* To learn more about an individual charity, contact Consumer Affairs’ Charities Hotline at 973-504-6215 or go to: NJConsumerAffairs.gov/charity/
(You can confirm whether a charity is registered or is exempt from registration requirements. You can also learn about the charity’s most recently reported financial information, including how much the charity reported spending on programs, fundraising and management expenses.)
* You can also check the Division’s new list of the Top 10 Most Inquired-About Charities, which was launched this week and will be updated every two months, at: NJConsumerAffairs.gov/charity/inquired/
Consumers who believe they have been cheated or scammed by a business, or suspect any other form of consumer abuse, can file a complaint with the State Division of Consumer Affairs by visiting NJConsumerAffairs.gov, or by calling 1-800-242-5846 (toll free within New Jersey) or 973-504-6200.
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