Milwaukee, Wis. – Severe weather can happen at any time in any location, so it’s important to be prepared. If a storm strikes, BBB’s Natural Disaster HQ has tips to help you recover and stay safe from common scams.
Common scams after a natural disaster
Protect yourself from storm chasers
Unfortunately, the aftermath of a disaster brings out contractors taking advantage of those who are recovering. BBB warns homeowners affected by natural disasters to be aware of “storm chasers” and out-of-town contractors soliciting business. Although not all storm chasers are scammers, some may lack the proper licensing for your area, offer quick fixes, or make big promises that they don’t keep.
Read the full scam alert and find tips for victims of natural disasters
Watch for price-gouging after a disaster
The cost of high-demand items often skyrocket during popular events or emergencies, like natural disasters. Some state attorneys general offices have initiated state price-gouging laws, which automatically go into effect during a declared state of emergency to prevent businesses from over-charging consumers.
Read the full alert and know what to do if you suspect price gouging
Give thoughtfully when supporting disaster relief
Sadly, scammers take advantage of disasters and deceive those who want to donate to relief funds. In addition, there are often campaigns set up by well-meaning individuals who may not be able to deliver on promised relief activities.
Read more about charitable giving after a natural disaster
For more information
Find more tips at BBB’s Natural Disaster HQ.
Read about what to do after a damaging storm, and find trusted recovery businesses near you.
To report a scam, go to BBB Scam Tracker.
To learn more about how to protect yourself, go to “10 Steps to Avoid Scams.”
Want more of these emails? Subscribe to BBB’s weekly Scam Alerts.
For more information or further inquiries, contact the Wisconsin BBB at www.bbb.org/wisconsin, 414-847-6000 or 1-800-273-1002. Consumers also can find more information about how to protect themselves from scams by following the Wisconsin BBB on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
ABOUT BBB: The Better Business Bureau has empowered people to find businesses, brands, and charities they can trust for over 110 years. In 2023, people turned to BBB more than 218 million times for BBB Business Profiles on 5.3 million businesses, and 80,000 times for BBB charity reports on about 12,000 charities, for free at BBB.org. The International Association of Better Business Bureaus is the umbrella organization for the local, independent BBBs in the United States and Canada.
