Con men pose as contractors after storms

Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt is urging residents in areas damaged by weekend storms to sue caution during the cleanup and rebuilding to avoid scams by transient contractors.

Home repair scams are common in natural disaster situations. Scammers will pose as contractors, approaching overwhelmed homeowners and offering to do repairs. They will often ask for cash in advance to purchase supplies, and then never return to do the work.

Consumers are instructed to ask for recommendations and references from contractors, get at least three written estimates from different contractors, and make sure the contractor meets all the licensing and permitting requirements, and is properly insured.

Consumers should be especially cautious of contractors who come door-to-door, offer discounted “leftover” materials, drive unmarked vehicles, or quote a price that is out of line with other estimates.