State Issues Information on Possible Scams

Concord, NH: The State Emergency Operations Center is advising residents of New Hampshire to be aware of possible scam artists in the wake of the damaging thunderstorms yesterday. Anyone with information about a possible scam or crime should contact local law enforcement or the State Police and file a complaint with the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Bureau (CPB).

"The devastation the State has suffered recently is difficult enough for people to deal with without having someone trying to cheat them," said Chris Pope, Director of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, at the New Hampshire Department of Safety.

The Consumer Protection Bureau recommends that consumers take care when entering into contracts and advises the following:

• Get bids, contracts, etc. in writing
• Take pictures of damage before work begins, and during the process
• Be careful of requests for payment up front
• Get references: call the numbers they provide and check, don’t just take their word for it
• Ask for proof of insurance

Consumers may also check the Consumer Protection website at the Attorney General’s Office quick links section, where there is a list of businesses that people have inquired about in the past. To file a complaint, it must be in writing and can be sent to www.doj.nh.gov/consumer/ or can be sent by mail to 33 Capital Street, Concord, NH 03301. Residents can call the Attorney General’s CPB regular consumer information line at 1-888-468-4454 or 603-271-3641 to ask questions. The hours of operation are 9 AM - 3 PM.

Consumers can also call the New Hampshire Better Business Bureau at 603-224-1991 to lodge a complaint. The BBB advises residents to get the person’s business card and business address, or home address if they don’t have a business address, before filing a complaint.

Governor Lynch declared a five-county State of Emergency yesterday to put all possible resources to work responding to the storms. The Governor is also urging anyone who suffered property damage to keep accurate records of all repair costs and to extensively document all damage. Homeowners should also contact their insurance company so adjusters can come to survey their property.