Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday is warning residents to be cautious when purchasing vehicles or hiring contractors following this week’s storms and resulting flood damage.
Sunday emphasized that scammers often exploit natural disasters for personal gain. He urged consumers to review available resources from the Office of Attorney General regarding their rights when buying a car or selecting home improvement contractors.
The following guides are available for Pennsylvanians considering a vehicle purchase:
- How Can I Avoid Buying a Flood Damaged Car?
- Tips on Buying a Used Car
- Automobile Lemon Law
For home repairs, consumers can use the state’s searchable database of registered contractors at hicsearch.attorneygeneral.gov. However, registration does not imply endorsement. Pennsylvania law requires contractors performing more than $5,000 in home improvement work to be registered.
Attorney General Sunday recommends the following steps to avoid home improvement scams:
- Contact insurance providers before signing any contracts to confirm coverage.
- Work with a bank or credit union to issue a Certificate of Completion. Contractors will be paid in stages after each phase is approved.
- Be cautious of unsolicited offers, especially from door-to-door salespeople.
- Legitimate contractors will not request large payments before signing an agreement and will provide written estimates and contracts.
Consumers who suspect they’ve been targeted or harmed by fraudulent practices can file a complaint with the Bureau of Consumer Protection online, by phone at 1-800-441-2555, or by emailing scams@attorneygeneral.gov.
