AG Yost warns of scammers after severe weather hit northeast Ohio

CLEVELAND — As residents recover from the strong storms and tornadoes that hit northeast Ohio on Tuesday, Attorney General Dave Yost is warning Ohioans to watch out for scammers.

Yost said these scammers could present themselves as home-repair experts or fake charities soliciting donations. 

“Bad actors thrive on others bad fortune,” Yost said in a release. “Protect yourself from scammers – verify before you trust.”

Yost provided these tips for residents to protect themselves:

• “Research the business. Ask for identification from the company representative; note the person’s name, address and phone number; and be cautious of any contractor who won’t provide this information. Check out the company’s reputation with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office and the Better Business Bureau and ask for references. You can also search for possible previous lawsuits filed by the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Section.
• Get multiple written estimates. Obtaining at least three written estimates from three distinct contractors could help you weed out bad apples.
• Don’t make large payments in advance. Instead, pay in increments – for example, a third at the beginning of the job, a third after half of the work is completed to your satisfaction, and the final third when the job is completed.
• Get all promises in writing. Insist on a written contract detailing the costs, the work to be done, the starting and end dates, and any verbal promises made by the contractor. The contract should also note whether subcontractors will be used and whether the contractor has or will obtain the necessary licenses and permits. Insist on being provided a copy of every document you sign or initial.
• Understand your cancellation rights. If the contract resulted from a door-to-door sale, you generally have three days to cancel the contract, according to Ohio’s Home Solicitation Sales Act. The seller should give you written notice of these rights.
• Consider paying with a credit card. Paying with a credit card, as opposed to paying in cash or by check, generally gives you greater protection to dispute unauthorized charges.”

As for fake charities, residents can check the Research Charities webpage to see if charities have gone through registration requirements, see what others say about the groups and more.