HARTFORD, Conn. (WTIC Radio)—As Connecticut approaches its typical hurricane season, state officials are warning residents to keep an eye out for any natural disaster-related scams.
Severe weather events like flooding and heavy thunderstorms can lead to damage that often make consumers and business owners vulnerable to scam artists, consumer protection and emergency services officials said.
Also, with disasters like large wildfires happening more often across the country, officials warn that Connecticut residents could become greater targets for charity scams.
The Department of Consumer Protection, the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, the Office of the Attorney General and the Better Business Bureau Serving Connecticut are highlighting the various scams residents may come across.
Those scams include clean-up or repair services offered at a low price and without a contract, fake charities to support natural disaster recovery efforts, fake job opportunities for those who may have become unemployed in a natural disaster and sales of used cars that may have sustained damage during severe storms.
Officials suggest verifying credentials for any clean-up or repair service and researching any potential charities, job offerings or used cars.
"We're reminding consumers to stay vigilant this year, even in the face of storm related issues like power outages and storm damage, and do their research when it comes to things like hiring contractors for repairs, donating to charities, finding new jobs and making large purchases after a storm," Consumer Protection Commissioner Michelle Seagull said.
Officials ask victims of any kind of scam to report it to local law enforcement and the Department of Consumer Protection. Scams can also be reported through the Better Business Bureau's Scam Tracker.