BRAINERD — Crow Wing County is warning storm-impacted residents to be vigilant about storm cleanup contractor scams.
Homeowners are encouraged to use local, reputable companies. Check references and licenses, and avoid paying down payments or signing contracts right away.
“Unfortunately, storms and scammers always seem to go hand in hand,” stated Crow Wing County Emergency Management Director Clayton Barg in a news release.
“When you get hit with storm damage, you are overwhelmed, and scammers take advantage of that. Please stay vigilant and take a few moments to check that you are working with a legitimate company.”
The Federal Emergency Management Agency warns that often after severe storms, unlicensed, uninsured or otherwise phony contractors will represent themselves as legitimate companies. Legitimate FEMA inspectors do not request money to complete an inspection.
Information about fraudulent contractors can be submitted to the FEMA Disaster Fraud Hotline. Victims of a cleanup scam should contact the Crow Wing County Sheriff's Office at 218-829-4749.
