Disaster victims should be wary of fake construction companies
May 1, 2025
- More than half of disaster victims who have to leave their homes report being targets of scams, which often pretend to be construction companies.
- Disaster victims in the states of Utah, Minnesota, West Virginia, Maryland, Wisconsin and Arizona report the highest rates of scam activity.
- There are signs of disaster scams that victims should be on the lookout for.
If losing a home from a natural disaster wasn’t enough to worry about, there are also scams to contend with.
Around 62% of people displaced from their homes by a disaster have said they were atarget of a scam in the following months, affecting an estimated 2.7 million people, according to an analysis by roofing company Instant Roofer, which reviewed an August to September 2024 survey from the U.S. Census.
Natural disasters are becoming more common, but its not just damage to your home you need to worry about,” Jacob Petrosky, founder of Instant Roofer, told ConsumerAffairs.
Disaster victims insome states are even more likely to be the targets of scammers.
InUtah, Minnesota, West Virginia, Maryland, Wisconsin and Arizona, 100% of disaster victims reported being targeted by a scam in the following months, the U.S. Census survey said.
What are disaster scams?
Disaster scams trick people into turning over sensitive information or money by pretending to be charitable organizations, government agencies, rentals and construction companies.
But perhaps the most nefarious can be when scammers impersonate construction companies that promise torebuild a damaged home.
Petrosky said disaster victims should do the following to avoid falling prey to the scams:
- Always work with licensed, insured professionals, and take the time to research any contractor.Check their reviews, verify their credentialsand ask to see examples of their previous work.
- Be especially wary of high-pressure sales tactics, such as demands for upfront payment, urgent “act now”offers, or discounts that seem too good.
- Never rely on verbal agreements. Get everything in writing: The scope of work, timeline, costand any warranty terms.
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