HOUSTON — The hard freeze may be over, but watch out for scammers fishing for victims to take advantage of.
The scams can target anyone -- people who had pipes freeze and people who didn't -- but one scam to really be on the lookout for is the "utility imposter scam," according to the Federal Trade Commission.
How it works
After a weather event, someone will call or knock on your door and say they need to repair or replace equipment. They then ask you to pay. That's one of the first warning signs that this is a scam.
If you do have damage and you're looking for a contractor, make sure you hire someone who is licensed and insured. You want to ask the contractor for proof of insurance and a written contract.
"In a city as big as Houston, there are thousands of contractors who can do this kind of work, so the main thing you want to look for is ethical contractors in the business," said Matthew Reibenstein, President of Greater Houston Builders Association. "First and foremost, check their accreditations. Make sure that they are legitimately a plumber or whatever it is that you are needing."
To check a plumber's license, go to the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners. Click on public license search at the top of the page. You can see if their license is current and check their discipline history.
"The only thing more expensive than having to actually fix your home is having to chase down the person who didn’t fix it," said Reibenstein. If you get into a legal situation, it can get expensive, so better to do your research and homework up front than get yourself frustrated and chase legal fees on the back end."
Experts also say do not pay in cash, because it's hard to track. You have more protections, if you pay by credit card. If a contractor is asking for material costs upfront, that's reasonable. However, if they are asking for a large amount of money or payment in full before the work is done, that could be a warning sign.
"If you reach out, or they are coming to your door or your area, specifically an older neighborhood due to the freeze and you have someone offering special pricing, or saying you were chosen for a demonstration project, or is giving you a ‘we are only going to be here today or this week’ and they are putting some pressure on you, those should be red flags," said Reibenstein. "A quality contractor is not going to be the one that pushes you to do the work."