From the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office

 

In the wake of the tornado in Beaufort County on April 25th, many residents are

beginning to cleanup and repair the extensive damage caused by the storm. Property owners are encouraged to be vigilant of potential scammers that try to trick victims into paying cash for substandard work or sometimes, no work at all.

To reduce the chances of being further victimized during this difficult time, property

owners can follow these tips:

 be wary of “door to door” repair operations that come to you or call to solicit work

 deal with an established company in your area

 ask for references and call to confirm the contractor does good work

 use businesses that are licensed and insured to do the type of repairs that are needed

 be wary of contractors that demand cash or large deposits upfront

For more information property owners can visit the National Storm Damage Center website at http://stormdamagecenter.org. Residents should contact their local law enforcement agency as soon as possible if they believe they have been approached by or victimized by a scammer.