DES MOINES, Iowa -- The Iowa Attorney General's office is on the look-out for "storm chasers"--scam artists who offer to do clean-up or repair work after big storms.
"Everyone is in a hurry to clean up and get things fixed, but it's important people take the time to check out contractors--know who they're dealing with" says Lynn Hicks with the Iowa AG's Office.
He says on the heels of last week's devastating windstorms in Iowa, scam artists will come in with high-pressure offers.
"They say things like "this deal is good for today only--I just happen to be in the neighborhood." That kind of pressure is a red flag that you need to check out who they are" Hicks says.
He says many fly-by-night "storm chasers" will take a victim's money and make things worse
"They won't finish a job, or not do it to the quality that you expect. Then you're in a situation where you have to find someone to fix the damage they caused. You could be in a much worse situation and be out a lot of money" Hicks says.
He says it's a good idea to get references for contractors before any work is done, get multiple bids for the project, make sure any offer of work to be done is in writing, and never pay for the job up front.