“Watch out for scammers,” Holmes Beach police chief warns residents about unlicensed contractors

HOLMES BEACH, Fla. (WWSB) – After two devastating back-to-back hurricanes, local authorities and state leaders are urging recovering residents to be careful about who they hire to rebuild.

“Their lives have been turned upside down by the storms out here, and now people are coming here and trying to scam them. It’s ridiculous that we’re going to do anything,” said Holmes Beach Police Chief Will Tokajer.

He told ABC7 News that his department is actively looking for people who are trying to take advantage of residents and drive them off the island. He encourages everyone to report suspicious activity to the police.

“Anyone who is a legitimate contractor is going to have their license number on everything they give you, on their business cards, on their paperwork,” Tokajer explained.

A woman on Anna Maria Island says she saw three men going door to door handing out paperwork for her company and looking for work. But she said the documents contained no details about the company, no license number and no last names.

“I asked about certifications, they didn’t give me any information,” said Sydney Buckley, herself a licensed general contractor. After contacting the men on the island, she searched online for the name of her company as it appeared on her documents.

“I found out there is no name listed on the license, so they basically don’t have a license,” Buckley said.

She used Facebook to warn others about her experience and reported it to the police.

Attorney General Ashley Moody has issued a warning to Floridians looking to hire contractors in the wake of the storm. She listed tips on how to protect yourself.

• Have the damage assessed by an insurance company before initiating repairs to ensure the work is covered by a policy.
• Obtain at least three written, detailed estimates for quotes or repairs;
• Beware of unsolicited offers or contractors claiming to perform repairs at a discount using leftover materials from another job.
• Research a company and its reputation – look for references online or ask a friend;
• Check MyFloridaLicense.com to see if a business is properly licensed and insured and if there have been any consumer complaints filed against a licensed contractor.
• Ensure a contractor is secured and verified by a bonding agency;
• Before signing, read the entire contract, including the fine print, to ensure it contains the buyer’s necessary right of withdrawal. Understand the penalties that may apply if you cancel.
• Insist that all subcontractors release any liens that may be placed on the property prior to final payment. Homeowners may unknowingly receive liens on their properties from suppliers or subcontractors that have not been paid by the contractor. If the builder fails to pay the homeowner, the liens on the property remain;
• Never pay the full amount of a repair cost up front and research the company thoroughly before making large down payments. And
• Do not sign a completion certificate or make a final payment until you are satisfied with the work completed.

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