Rokita: Don’t let scammers turn storm damage into financial disaster

Submitted by Office of AG Todd Rokita

Rokita

With severe storms hitting across the state over the past couple of days and more expected, Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita is alerting Hoosiers to stay vigilant against storm-related scams. As communities deal with storm damage, scammers are poised to exploit the situation, targeting residents with fraudulent repair offers and deceptive schemes.

A powerful derecho and severe thunderstorms on Tuesday brought destructive winds (gusts approaching 100 mph in parts of northwest Indiana), tornadoes, downed trees and power lines, and widespread damage across northern and central Indiana. Power outages peaked at hundreds of thousands of customers; NIPSCO described it as its largest outage event in company history.

Additional heavy rainfall and storms on Wednesday produced significant flash flooding in many areas, including historic flooding in parts of east-central Indiana, road closures, evacuations, and rescues.

“These severe storms have already taken a heavy toll on Hoosier families and communities. The last thing anyone needs is for scammers to turn that hardship into financial devastation,” AG Rokita said. “Our office is working to help Hoosiers recognize and avoid these scams so fraudsters cannot derail recovery efforts before they even begin.”

Storms often bring out unscrupulous individuals who prey on homeowners by promising quick fixes, only to disappear with down payments or deliver inferior work. AG Rokita offers the following tips to help Hoosiers stay vigilant and avoid storm-related scams:

• Be skeptical of anyone offering immediate cleanup or repair services without proper vetting.

• Know the facts: FEMA does not charge application fees. If someone demands payment to help you access FEMA funds, it’s likely a scam.

• Research contractors: Check reputations through references, online reviews, or the Better Business Bureau before hiring.

• Verify credentials: Ask for IDs, licenses, and proof that the contractor is bonded and insured.

• Get multiple estimates: Compare offers to ensure fair pricing and scope of work.

• Insist on written agreements: Don’t trust verbal promises. Get everything in writing.

• Avoid risky payments: Never pay with wire transfers, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or cash, and never pay the full amount upfront.

If you suspect a scam, AG Rokita encourages you to file a complaint at indianaconsumer.com or call his office at 1-800-382-5516.

The Consumer Protection Division is dedicated to safeguarding Hoosiers from fraudulent schemes year-round.