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CONSUMER ALERT: Attorney General Moody Warns Floridians Affected by Hurricane Helene About Disaster-Related Scams

vs. CONSUMER ALERT: Attorney General

The Florida Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division issues Consumer Alerts to inform Floridians of emerging scams, new methods used to commit fraud, increased reports of common scams, or any other deceptive practice. Consumer Alerts are designed to notify Floridians about scams and available refunds in an effort to prevent financial losses or other harm caused by deceptive practices. Anyone encountering a scam should report the incident to the Florida Attorney General's Office by calling 1(866) 9NO-SCAM or visiting MyFloridaLegal.com. To view recent Consumer Alerts and for other information about avoiding scams, visit MyFloridaLegal.com/ConsumerAlert.

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The Federal Emergency Management Agency offers disaster relief to eligible victims through various programs. Scammers may pose as FEMA officials to prey on vulnerable Floridians after a storm. When seeking aid, consider the following:

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Skip to main content Home Meet the Attorney General Attorney General James Uthmeier Official Photo About the Office Departments AG Opinions Antitrust Civil Legal Services Civil Litigation Consumer Protection Criminal Appeals Litigation Services Medicaid Fraud Parental Rights Solicitor General Statewide Prosecution Programs Back the Blue Be a Florida Hero Consumer Alerts Criminal Justice Programs Military and Veterans Assistance Program Seniors vs. Crime Cold Case Investigations Unit Services Civil Rights Human Trafficking Prevention and Awareness Identity Theft Lemon Law Office of Inspector General Open Government Victims Services Contact Us Addresses & Phone Numbers File A Complaint General Inquiries Media Contact × Home Meet the Attorney General Attorney General James Uthmeier Official Photo About the Office Departments AG Opinions Antitrust Civil Legal Services Civil Litigation Consumer Protection Criminal Appeals Litigation Services Medicaid Fraud Parental Rights Solicitor General Statewide Prosecution Programs Back the Blue Be a Florida Hero Consumer Alerts Criminal Justice Programs Military and Veterans Assistance Program Seniors vs. Crime Cold Case Investigations Unit Services Civil Rights Human Trafficking Prevention and Awareness Identity Theft Lemon Law Office of Inspector General Open Government Victims Services Contact Us Addresses & Phone Numbers File A Complaint General Inquiries Media Contact Breadcrumb Home News Releases Consumer Alert Attorney General Moody Warns Floridians Affected Hurricane Helene About Skip to main content CONSUMER ALERT: Attorney General Moody Warns Floridians Affected by Hurricane Helene About Disaster-Related Scams View PDF Release Date Sep 30, 2024 Contact Kylie Mason Phone (850) 245-0150 TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Ashley Moody is warning Floridians to be vigilant for price gouging, disaster scams and fraud in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region last Thursday, and the storm’s widespread effects, including catastrophic storm surge, strong winds and heavy rain, impacted millions of Floridians. The devastating storm flattened communities, took homes and has a rising death toll. Floridians may now be seeking food, shelter, debris removal or home repairs. Attorney General Moody’s Price Gouging Hotline remains activated for consumers to report allegations of extreme price increases, as well as scams related to the ongoing recovery efforts. Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “As Floridians are recovering from Hurricane Helene, it is important to remain vigilant for scams and price gouging. Unfortunately, it is now when people are left vulnerable from a catastrophe that bad actors may swoop in to exploit Floridians with contractor fraud, debris-removal scams and more. Please make sure that all services are legitimate before signing a contract—check out our Scams at a Glance: After the Storm resource for additional tips to avoid falling victim to disaster-related scams.” Following a disaster like Hurricane Helene, qualified contractors are usually in high demand and become booked up for months. Scammers or unqualified out-of-state workers may flood in to take advantage of Floridians in need of legitimate service. If property is damaged from the storm, follow these tips when hiring a contractor: Have an insurance company evaluate damage before arranging repairs to ensure that the work will be covered under a policy; Get at least three written, itemized estimates on bids or repairs; Watch out for unsolicited offers or contractors claiming to perform repairs at a discount with leftover supplies from another job; Research a company and its reputation—look for references online, or ask a friend; Check to see if a company is properly licensed, insured and if there are any consumer complaints filed against a licensed contractor at MyFloridaLicense.com; Make sure a contractor is bonded and verified with a bonding agency; Read the entire contract, including the fine print, before signing to ensure it includes the required buyer’s right to cancel language. Understand penalties that may be imposed for cancellation; Insist on releases of any liens that could be placed on the property from all subcontractors prior to making final payments. Homeowners may unknowingly have liens placed against their properties by suppliers or subcontractors who did not get paid by the contractor. If the contractor fails to pay the homeowner, the liens will remain on the title; Never pay the full amount of a repair expense upfront, and research the company thoroughly before providing large deposits; and Do not sign a certificate of completion or make final payment until satisfied with the work performed. The Federal Emergency Management Agency offers disaster relief to eligible victims through various programs. Scammers may pose as FEMA officials to prey on vulnerable Floridians after a storm. When seeking aid, consider the following: No sta

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