Beware Of Snow-Related Scams, PA Attorney General Says

Pennsylvania officials are warning residents to be on the lookout for storm-related scams.

Attorney General Josh Shapiro said scams following significant snowstorms or natural disasters are common. The scams usually involve home repair schemes, snow plow operators, government loan or grant schemes and fraudulent disaster-related fundraising efforts, he said in a news release.

“As the snow piles up, beware of the scam artists,” Shapiro said. “We want Pennsylvanians to be aware of possible scams and report any suspicious activity to our office’s Bureau of Consumer Protection.”

If your home sustains storm-related damage, remember that home improvement contractors who do more than $5,000 worth of business per year in Pennsylvania are required to register with the Bureau of Consumer Protection, Shapiro advises. Registrations can be verified by calling 888-520-6680 or by visiting this link.

Contractors are also required to provide consumers with specific information before proceeding with any project, including:

• The contractor’s registration number, which must be included in all contracts, estimates and advertisements.
• A written contract for any project costing more than $500.
• Information about the consumers’ three-day right to cancel a home improvement contract.
• Details about the materials and labor included in the project.
• Total sales price.
• A specific starting and ending date for the project.

Pennsylvania’s Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act limits the amount of any up-front payments that contractors can collect. For projects costing more than $5,000, contractors may not accept advance payment of more than one-third of the total price of the contract, Shapiro said.

Residents should also be wary of individuals who approach you with stories of "just being in the neighborhood” or other unsolicited offers that seem too good to be true.

Here are other warning signs for potential home repair scams:

• Unsolicited door-to-door sales pitches
• Requests for large up-front payments
• No written estimates or contracts
• Offers to perform work using "left over" or "discount" materials from other jobs
• High-pressure sales pitches

If you have questions or problems related to disaster-recovery scams, call OAG’s Bureau of Consumer Protection hotline at 800-441-2555 or go to www.attorneygeneral.com to file a complaint.