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Homeowners should watch out for scammers who may target them with fake contracts, or phony government loans/grants, Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro says.
Pennsylvanians should not sign insurance checks or claims over to any contractor.
Legitimate contractors and government agencies will never send unsolicited offers nor ask for large sums of money.
In fact, home improvements of over $5,000 per year are required to register with the Attorney General’s Office, per state law.
Certificate of Completion from a bank or credit union can be requested to issue payments to contractors after each stage of a project.
“As Pennsylvania rebuilds and recovers from the remnants of Hurricane Ida, scammers will try to take advantage of consumer panic to make a profit. I’m asking Pennsylvania homeowners to report suspicious offers to my office,” Shapiro said.
Homeowners should work with their insurance provider to find out about improvements that may be covered.
“If you have concerns about an unsolicited home improvement contractor, or just want to verify a contractor’s registration information before paying for home repairs, contact my office by emailing scams@attorneygeneral.gov or calling 1-800-441-2555,” Shapiro said.
His complete statement is available on the PA AG’s website.
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