Safety Alert Bulletin
October 29, 2003
The San Diego Community College
Police Department is warning victims of this week's wildfires to beware of
crooks who try to take advantage of such crises with fraudulent offers of
reconstruction or insurance aid. Swindlers of this kind prey on victims by
offering supposed bargains on structural repair, debris removal or filing of
indemnity claims. People should contact insurance companies directly and avoid
providing personal information to any unknown parties who contact them with
offers of assistance. Anyone in need of such work should demand proof of
licensing and confirmation of insurance on the part of the provider.
After a Disaster
DON’T GET SCAMMED!
Don’t get conned by an
unscrupulous or unlicensed contractor.
Before you hire a
contractor or sign a contract for property repair, we offer the following
advice:
·
When repairing
disaster damage, beware of unscrupulous or unlicensed contractors.
·
Don’t rush into
repairs, no matter how badly they’re needed.
·
Don’t hire the
first contractor who comes along.
·
Don’t be
victimized by someone making a door-to-door presentation, offering to do repair
jobs or home improvement on the spot, and requiring a cash deposit.
·
Even on the
smallest job, you must get proof that the person you are dealing with has a
contractor’s license in the trade for which you expect to have the work done.
·
Get a written
contract that contains all the details of the job to be performed.
RESOURCES:
- Better Business Bureau is an excellent start to check on the standing of your contractor and for additional "scam" information.
- California Contractors State License Board to check on the license status of your contractor.
If you have information about crimes which have occurred, or may occur
on or near campus, you may report it by calling College Police at (619)
388-6405, the San Diego Police at (619) 531-2000 or crimes stoppers at (619)
235-TIPS. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.
David Worden
Chief of Police